Commissioner 'ecstatic' to join local authority

Chris Martin will serve as a Commissioner in Ramsey South Ward

A new Ramsey Town Commissioner said he felt "ecstatic" to join the local authority following his by-election victory.

Chris Martin was elected in the Ramsey South Ward after picking up 278 of the 554 votes cast on Thursday. The local authority district recorded a 21% voter turnout.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Cubbon and Karl Drinkwater were elected to the local authority in Port Erin after they respectively received 378 and 331 votes.

The southern local authority by-election had a 19.4% turnout.

'Hard work begins'

Martin said that while Ramsey was not a bad place to live, "I would like to try and enhance what we have got, and hopefully I have got the skills to make that happen.

He said a "burning issue" was the condition and accessibility of the town's pavements.

While "elated" to win the election, he said "now the hard work begins".

It had been a "hard campaign, treading round about, visiting people, finding out what people want from the town", said Martin, who promised to learn how the local authority worked "so you can make a difference and make sure that you can be effective".

The by-elections were held after both local authorities failed to attract enough candidates in April's general election.

Ballaugh Commissioners, which had two vacant seats to fill, did not have anybody putting themselves forward.

Meanwhile, in Douglas Central Ward only Arwid Hall was nominated.

With two seats to fill, Jurby Parish Commissioners, only had one candidate.

James Allanson has filled one of the vacancies in an uncontested election.