LOTS of people living in the Isle of Man call themselves ‘Manx’, even if they weren’t born here, according to a pre-election public survey.
The ‘Manx People Power’ survey, conducted by HPI Research, shows that 61% of those interviewed saw themselves as ‘Manx’, despite the 2006 census figures which showed that less than half of the population were actually born here.
The survey results reflect the frequently heard comments from many who come to live in the Isle of Man that they consider themselves ‘Manx’ once they have settled on the Island.
Results were broken down by ‘Manx born’ and ‘born elsewhere’. They showed that 93% of ‘Manx born’ said they were Manx, but only 33% of those ‘born elsewhere’. ‘Manxness’ was found to be strongest in the south and west, and among 16-24 year olds.
A total of 1,055 people were interviewed by telephone for the survey with 44% of interviewees saying they were ‘Manx’; 17% ‘More Manx than British’; 23% ‘British’, 10% ‘More British than Manx’; and 6% ‘other’.
Adding together ‘Manx’ and ‘More Manx’, 61% saw themselves as ‘Manx’, 33% as ‘British’.
People were also asked to rate the quality of the Isle of Man government’s relationship with the UK Government on a 7-point scale, from ‘extremely good’ to ‘extremely poor’. Most opted (79%) for the three mid points on the scale, and the overall rating was slightly above average. Only 32% said the relationship was ‘good’.
Interviewees then answered whether, over the last three years, the relationship had improved, stayed the same, or got worse. A total of 52% said ‘worsened’, 31% ‘unchanged’, and 12% ‘improved’.
The survey further explored the strength of Manx politicians’ and civil servants’ relationships with those at the top level of UK government. 46% thought these relationships were ‘weak’, 6% ‘strong’, and 39% ‘average’ (9% ‘Don’t know’).
People were then asked whether the Manx government should employ a lobbying company to communicate the Island’s perspective at senior level in the UK. 60% thought this was a good idea, 33% not good, with 7% ‘don’t know’. (At present the Manx government employs a PR company – Lansons – but not a specialised political lobbying company.)
Asked about whether the Isle of Man had the right level of independence from the UK, 48% wanted more independence, 43% said present level was about right, 5% wanted less, with 4% ‘don’t know’.
Questioned about independence, about half think the Isle of man has the right level of independence, but half want more.
• Next week, results from the ‘Manx People Power’ survey will look at attitudes to two related topics – the Reciprocal Health and VAT Agreements.
