Who is standing for the Legislative Council?

An empty legislative council chamber, which has a red carpet, wood panelled walls and semi-circle desk surrounded by maroon leather chairs. There is a stained glass window at the back of the chamber.Manx Scenes

The Legislative Council's main role is to scrutinise primary legislation

Alex Blake
BBC News, Isle of Man

There are 15 candidates vying for a seat on the Isle of Man's Legislative Council for the next five years.

The scrutiny body is the upper chamber of the Manx parliament, which makes up Tynwald alongside the House of Keys.

Four spaces are available on the board of eight, to be selected in a ballot by MHKs on Tuesday morning.

While 16 candidates were initially confirmed as successfully nominated to take part in the election, the withdrawal of Brian Holt has reduced the number to 15.

In order to stand in the election, those who applied needed to secure a proposer, seconder and at least two other supporters from the House of Keys.

But who are the candidates hoping to take a seat on the Council?

Julia Bell

A cognitive behavioural therapist employed by Manx Care, Ms Bell has a career history working in mental health.

She said she was motivated to stand in the election after presenting two petitions for redress of grievance at Tynwald Day on better provisions for children with dyslexia.

Julia Bell, who has dark hair tied up in a bun and is wearing a black suit jacket and floral top. She is standing in front of red brick building.

She was proposed by Rob Callister, seconded by Ann Corlett, and supported by Tim Glover and Jason Moorhouse.

Ronald Paul Berry

A retired broadcaster and businessman, Mr Berry previously owned radio station 3FM and a design and advertising agency.

He described himself as having a "longstanding interest in politics", having stood in a House of Keys election in 2006, and was keen to ensure the prosperity of the island through "good governance".

Ronald Berry, who has short grey hair with a fringe and a grey beard, and is wearing a black suit jacket over a pink shirt with a black and grey striped tie. He is standing in front of a glass tiled wall.

He was proposed by Claire Christian, seconded by Jason Moorhouse, and supported by Alex Allinson and Tim Johnston.

Barry William Carbis

Mr Carbis is a senior practitioner in the Department of Home Affairs prison and probation service.

He has a career in community education youth work and social care and said he had a "good working knowledge of Isle of Man legislation".

Barry Carbis, who has short dark hair and a grey beard and is wearing glasses and a pin striped dark suit, white shirt and black and white checked tie. He is standing in front of a glass tiled wall.

He was proposed by Ann Corlett, seconded by Michelle Haywood, and supported by Jason Moorhouse and Tim Johnston.

Mark Jason Cleator

An information technology and website provision business owner, Mr Cleator previously ran a music and sound business on the island.

A consultant to a number of Manx companies, he said he had experience dealing with advocates and had "become used to reading Acts of Tynwald".

Mark Cleator, who has short dark hair and is wearing glasses and a great windbreaker over a dark suit jacket, pale blue shirt and grey tie. He is standing in front of a red brick building with a glass door.

He was proposed by Stu Peters, seconded by John Wannenburgh, and supported by David Ashford and Rob Callister.

Gary Raymond Clueit

A career in investing, founding and running businesses in the property and architecture industries, Mr Clueit moved to the Isle of Man in 2019.

He was appointed a member of the Housing and Communities Board where he said he had "useful contribution" in work to address issues in that area.

Gary Clueit, who has short brown hair and is wearing a black suit jacket with a pink striped shirt and red striped tie. He is standing in front of glass tiled wall.

He was proposed by David Ashford, seconded by Michelle Haywood, and supported by Lawrie Hooper and Alex Allinson.

Barry Duncan

A business owner in recruitment for more than 25 years, Mr Duncan previously worked for the Metropolitan Police.

Throughout his career he said he had developed experience in recruitment, education and development, and international relations.

Barry Duncan, who has short brown hair, a short grey beard, and is wearing a dark suit with a pale blue shirt and red tie. He is standing in front of a glass tiled wall.

Barry Duncan was proposed by Tim Glover and seconded by Andrew Smith

He was proposed by Tim Glover, seconded by Andrew Smith, and supported by Clare Barber and Jason Moorhouse.

Matthew Lloyd Gough

A career in the maritime industry, Mr Gough is a quality manager for the Döhle Yachts Group.

He has a history working in compliance and said he had experience in hospitality, retail, construction, civil engineering, and maritime small craft industries.

Matthew Gough, who is bald with a short grey beard and is wearing glasses, and a dark grey suit jacket over a pale blue shirt. He is standing in front of glass tiled wall.

He was proposed by Clare Barber, seconded by Jane Poole-Wilson, and supported by Tim Crookall and Claire Christian.

Robert William Henderson

Previously a mental health nurse, Mr Henderson was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2015 and is seeking re-election after his current term of office came to an end on 28 February.

A long history in politics, he was previously an MHK for Douglas North from 1998 to 2005.

Bill Henderson, who has tinning close cropped grey hair and is wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue tie. The background is white.Tynwald

He was proposed by David Ashford, seconded by John Wannenburgh, and supported by Ann Corlett and Kate Lord-Brennan.

Andrew Stuart Jones

A former marine engineer, Mr Jones had a career in the merchant navy and maritime industries.

He retired from his job as chief engineer on the RMS Queen Mary 2 in July last year and said he had experience working in "dynamic" and "high-pressure environments".

Andrew Jones, has spikey grey hair and is wearing glasses and a grey suit, white shirt and and dark tie. He is standing in front of a glass tiled wall.

He was proposed by John Wannenburgh, seconded by Jane Poole-Wilson, and supported by Stu Peters and Daphne Caine.

Robert John Mercer

Previously professional in information technology (IT), Mr Mercer was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2020 and is seeking re-election after his current term of office came to an end on 28 February.

Working in IT for more than 30 years, he said sitting on the Council was "one of the greatest honours" of his life.

Rob Mercer, who has short grey hair and is wearing glasses and black shirt. The background is white.Tynwald

He was proposed by Kate Lord-Brennan, seconded by Daphne Caine, and supported by Jane Poole-Wilson and Tim Johnston.

Kirstie Morphet

A career in youth social work, Ms Morphet has lived on the Isle of Man for 18 years.

She has a post graduate qualification in mental health law and said she was "used to working with legislation on a daily basis".

Kirstie Morphet, who has long brown hair, which is tied back, and is wearing a black and white blazer and black top. She is standing in front of a red brick building.

She was proposed by Rob Callister, seconded by Alex Allinson, and supported by Tim Glover and Joney Faragher.

Claire Louise Newall

Working for the Isle of Man government for nearly 30 years, Ms Newall is a GP professional services officer for Manx Care.

She said she had an "acute knowledge of government departments", with experience including working in home affairs, the police and fire and rescue services.

Claire Newall, who has short grey hair and is wearing a grey gilet over a black and white patterned top. She is standing in front of a red brick building.

She was proposed by Alex Allinson, seconded by Ann Corlett, and supported by Sarah Maltby and Joney Faragher.

Martyn John Perkins

After moving to the Isle of Man in 1980, Mr Perkins had a career in engineering and was an MHK for Garff from 2016 to 2021.

He was a political member for the departments of environment, food and agriculture, and enterprise, and said he misses the "political arena".

Martyn Perkins, who has short grey hair and a moustache, and is wearing a dark blue jacket over a pale blue tie with a colourfully striped tie. He is standing in front of a red brick building.

He was proposed by Clare Barber, seconded by Daphne Caine, and supported by Lawrie Hooper and Kate Lord-Brennan.

Peter Hemingway Reid

After a career finance, Mr Reid is now the chairman of the Isle of Man Skills Board and sits on the board of the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority.

He said that gave him a "strong track record of of success and experience" to draw from.

Peter Reid, who has short brown hair and is wearing glasses and a navy blue suit, white shirt and blue tie. He is standing in front of a glass tiled wall.

He was proposed by John Wannenburgh, seconded by Andrew Smith, and supported by Clare Barber and Jane Poole-Wilson.

Kerry Sharpe

Previously a television documentary director, Ms Sharpe was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2018 and is seeking re-election after her current term of office came to an end on 28 February.

She has been a political member for the departments of infrastructure and health and social care, and said she had "scutinised 80 pieces of legislation" during her time in office.

Kerry Sharpe, who is wearing a chunky necklace over a blue top. The background is white.Tynwald

She was proposed by Rob Callister, seconded by David Ashford, and supported by Daphne Caine and Kate Lord-Brennan.

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