Former chief minister returns to local politics

Tony Brown says he wants to improve communication between local authorities and central government on the Isle of Man

A former chief minister is among those who have been voted into office in five local authorities across the Isle of Man.

Tony Brown, who has been elected to Castletown Commissioners, was a Member of the House of Keys (MHK) for 30 years and served as chief minister from 2006 to 2011.

Two other former MHKs also gained seats, including David Cretney who topped the polls in Douglas South Ward to serve on the city council, and Ray Harmer in Peel.

Brown said returning to the political arena "after being retired for 12 years" was something he had put "a lot of thought" into.

Only five districts held elections on Thursday, with the remaining seats in 16 local government areas uncontested.

'Challenge government'

In the south of the island, Brown was one of seven to gain a seat in the ancient capital.

He said one of his top priorities was to push for progress on a "replacement public swimming pool for Castletown", after ongoing uncertainty about the current one.

"There's been virtually no movement on that now for years," he added.

Brown hoped that his experience of managing the Council of Ministers and being Speaker of the House of Keys would be "helpful" on the board of commissioners.

He said: "I think local authorities have got to learn how to be more assertive with government."

If the majority of members agree on an issue, he said he hoped they would "be able to start to challenge government a bit more on things they are doing or not doing".

John Cringle, William Galley, Alan Leonard, Mahendrakumar Patel, Carol Quine, and Laurence Watterson were also elected.

Results

In Douglas South Ward, Cretney received the highest number of votes across the whole election, with 1,096.

He was a Tynwald member for more than 30 years, formerly an infrastructure minister and a member of the Manx Labour Party.

He will be joined on the council by newcomers Steven Crellin and Karel Ver Elst.

Gordon Clague topped the polls in Patrick, with 250 votes.

Robert Anderson, Paul Craker, Leo Cussons and Simon Mellor also gained seats to serve in the rural area known for its many hills and glens.

In the west, former infrastructure minister Ray Harmer topped the polls in Peel with 792 votes.

Katryna Baptist, Frank Crompton, Alistair Cubbon-Wood, Stuart Hardingham, Sharon Lambert, and Christine Moughtin also earned a seat on the commissioners.

There was a turnout of about 28%.

In the north, Juan McGuinness retained his seat and received the most votes with 477.

Others elected to the local authority were Emma Honey, Pauline Johns-Garrett, Elizabeth Shimmin, Margaret Webb, and Wilf Young.

The town had the lowest voter turnout on the island, at 20%.