I am indebted to Angus Brendan MacNeil MP for a copy of this press release sent by the Government of the Isle of Man, welcoming the praise heaped on them by a London MP. The Manx, of course, have full fiscal autonomy - ie they decided what taxes to raise and keep all the revenues from these. As their chief minister points out below, the Manx have used this power to develop important new industries like aerospace and e-gaming. The Manx, naturally, have control of the revenues from their own waters, having repatriated these from the Crown Estate many years ago. Their GDP is higher than the UK. As a British protectorate, they are independent in every respect except foreign affairs and defence. Now can someone tell me why this little island, with a population of 80,000 is doing very nicely thanks - but we are too small poor etc to get the same level of autonomy? Wake up Scotland, you're being conned!

Subject: Press Release - IOM Gov

Chief Minister welcomes MP’s praise for thriving Manx economy

CHIEF Minister Tony Brown MHK has welcomed comments made by Mark Field MP who urged the Coalition Government to look towards the Isle of Man for inspiration on how to rebalance the UK economy.

In a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday (November 3), Mr Field said the Island had successfully diversified its economic base, while maintaining a flourishing financial services sector. The MP for the Cities of London and Westminster added that the UK Government should follow the Isle of Man’s example when drawing up its blueprint for the country’s economic future.

His praise for the Island’s ‘world-class and high-quality’ niche sectors has been welcomed by the Chief Minister who said:

‘This is important recognition for our efforts to provide a well balanced and resilient Manx economy. The Isle of Man Government is a leading international business centre that makes a significant contribution to the City of London and wider global economy. We have a very positive message to tell the world, and Mr Field’s comments will help to raise further awareness of the Island’s business strengths and pioneering outlook.’

Mr Field, who led Wednesday’s Westminster Hall debate, is a vocal champion of the Isle of Man as ‘a stable, well-regulated and neutral jurisdiction through which to facilitate international and cross-border business.’

He told Westminster colleagues:

‘The UK should perhaps, for example, look at the way that the Isle of Man has quite successfully rebalanced its economy through promoting new growth areas but, crucially, in a way that has not undermined or diminished the importance of its own very important financial services sector. The Isle of Man has embarked upon a diversification drive that has built a thriving hub for high-tech manufacturing, including aerospace, which of course has strong links to the north-west of England economy. It has created a propitious environment for world-class e-gaming companies; it has established world-class high-quality aircraft and ship registers and created a diverse and thriving space commerce sector, with many of the world's leading operators established on the Island. Crucially, it has also continued to support - very vocally - and promote its successful financial sector, which is wholly compatible with, and supports, other sectors of its diversified economy. In essence, the Isle of Man Government have not picked winners at the expense of penalising other sectors, but have shown that they can build a balanced and diversified economy, while maintaining a strong and thriving financial services sector.’