Roadshow a 'chance to influence government policy'

The chief minister said the four events be "relatively informal"

A series of public meetings will give people on the Isle of Man a chance to influence government policy making, the chief minister has said.

Alfred Cannan has announced four events featuring members of the Council of Ministers, which are set to take place across the island.

Mr Cannan said it was important for ministers to listen and that would be the focus of the roadshow, offering people "a chance to influence, a chance to discuss, a chance to raise concerns".

The roadshow is set to take place from 22 to 25 April at four of the island's state-run high schools.

Mr Cannan said there were many issues that people would want to raise with the ministerial panel, including the "strong government agenda" as well as "global issues".

Health and public sector spending were also concerns he said he expected to be raised.

'Pressures'

Mr Cannan said the roadshow would allow people to share their thoughts on "some of the policy direction that we've had and where that may be changed or refined".

Approaching the administration's halfway point was a "natural point for us to go out and talk to people", he said.

While the meetings "could be seen potentially as a reaction" to recent criticism of the government's leadership, there had always been the intention "to do more and get out and meet people", he continued.

There had been "a lot of pressures on people" over the first half of the current administration, and although the government had to tackle a number of unforeseen circumstances things were "calming down", he added.

The meetings will be held on consecutive nights starting at Castle Rushen High School in Castletown on 22 April, followed by Queen Elizabeth II High School in Peel and Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, and ending at Ramsey Grammar School on 25 April.