Don, I've heard that some of the financial sector have already bailed. There will be competition soon enough from the likes of India and China as well. Like you say, the financial market is very fickle and if they think they can get a better deal eslewhere they'll be gone in a heartbeat. The tourism industry has already all but been killed off by the closing of hotels and the preposterous ferry costs. If the TT finishes and the financial weenies depart, then they'll be left with nothing.

Question ....Does the Isle of Man need the TT

Answer......Yes

Without the TT , the Isle of Man would have been just another obscure Island off the coast of England , if the TT is stopped then that is exactly what it will become.

A bloke I know, who used to live on the Isle of Man some years ago, keeps telling me that Bill Smith once said "Without the TT, the Isle of Man will end up as a bird sanctuary".

ammo Wrote:A bloke I know, who used to live on the Isle of Man some years ago, keeps telling me that Bill Smith once said "Without the TT, the Isle of Man will end up as a bird sanctuary".

Ah, but there would have to be a new rare breed, called the "GoldWing" or something. :shock:

(Sorry, I just slipped that in to get my posting total up a bit)

It's a valid point about the financial sector - they landed overnight and would fly off just as soon if the tax regime changed to remove their unique advantages.

However the big question is, will anyone be farsighted enough to plan for this or are the rewards of continuing to fawn to their every need just too tempting in the short term, and will tomorrow be tomorrow's problem?

Now Guernsey and Jersey might go out of business due to those delightfully honest gentlemen on the Isle of Man.
These people take deviousness, clothe it in respectability, and advertise it without the slightest pang of guilt.
http://www.iomonline.co.im/ViewArticle2....ID=1408901

So just as easily can the Isle of On-Line Casinos go out of business if some other smart a*se tax haven offers a better deal.

Just to let you all know the long awaited criminal trial against the Islands ex Chief Ministers wife starts next Friday, the result of this trial will paint the picture of the Island as it really is, Corrupt

What did she do then, FC? (for those of us, like me, who arent aware).

Excellent post, Don. There was a time when businesses, like people, expected that they would have to pay a fair share of taxes. When businesses, or certain businesses are exempted from paying taxes the revenue has to come from somewhere. That 'somewhere' is usually hard working men and women as well as small businesses. When one jurisdiction poaches business from another by offering tax deals, grants, subsidies etc the people who run the businesses are laughing - and also on the watch for an even better offer from their next location.

Their arrival usually brings a real estate boom that prices properties beyond the reach of the long term residents. The operators of these businesses also have no long term commitment to the community. They will be there until they get a better offer to re-locate. Finance and online gambling are highly portable. The examples of places that have committed themselves to gambling and corporate convenience are not inspiring. Short term there may be cash and glamour, long term crime and distortion of the economy. Fortunately the Isle of Man may not be past the point of no return, but it sounds as if it is close.

Interesting post this,I live in Norfolk where council tax rises have gone through the roof in the last ten years. The council chairman during much of this period has now resigned,because she and her husband are leaving Norfolk and relocating their business on the Isle of Man.
Obviously she dos'nt like the tax she is paying in Norfolk,but it is ok for us peasants to saddle the burden she is leaving behind.
Hope she like bikes,if not she is in for a bit of a shock

Thought this site was about the TT & MGP not politics & slating policies here on the Island gets a bit boring listening to the same drivel about taxes , costs of getting here hotels ripping off people etc etc etc blah blah blah .
Leave the Island alone no one forces anyone to come here & what taxes here have to do with this website is beyond me . Dont know what that has to do with road racing .

Well said Shaun, and as us fella's say "there is a boat in the morning"

Shaun,

That was the old site.............before it got hijacked.

Sam

This site just gets better. Now there moaning about the banks and taxes on the IOM !


This has turned into a comedy site. Moan first and think later.

Tel Wrote:Well said Shaun, and as us fella's say "there is a boat in the morning"

Tel/Shaun the BOAT IS F*****G FULL UP WITH PEOPLE LEAVING THE ISLAND

Guys there are all kinds of things that affect racing on the Island not least of which the political situation and the influence of the financial community, which was the point of this thread!

We all come on here because we love the racing but things have been going on which have the potential to threaten it, so don't be surprised if people go on about it a bit!