Isle of Man election: Government ministers ousted by voters

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Geoffrey Boot and Ray Harmer
Image caption,

Geoffrey Boot (left) and Ray Harmer were both first elected in 2015

Four government ministers and three MHKs have lost their seats in the Isle of Man's general election.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot and Policy and Reform Minister Ray Harmer were both ousted in Glenfaba and Peel.

Meanwhile, Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker lost out in Ayre and Michael, while Home Affairs Minister Graham Cregeen was voted out in Arbory, Castletown and Malew.

A record number of 10 women were elected across eight constituencies.

History was made in two constituencies when two women were chosen to represent voters in each for the first time.

Sarah Maltby and Claire Christian were elected in Douglas South, while Joney Faragher and Clare Barber gained support in Douglas East.

The results meant Paul Quine lost his seat in Douglas South after just 13 months.

Mrs Faragher, who is leader of the Manx Labour Party, said: "I was very shocked to top the poll. Thanks to everyone who has turned out to vote for me, I want to represent everyone in Douglas East, not just those who voted for me."

Image caption,

Clare Barber (left) and Joney Faragher were voted in for Douglas East

Mr Cregeen lost out in Arbory, Castletown and Malew as Jason Moorhouse and Tim Glover took the two seats.

Meanwhile, Mr Baker lost out to Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan and Tim Johnston in Ayre and Michael.

Mr Baker said he accepted that "the public has spoken".

"I felt I was in with a reasonable chance, obviously I've been associated with challenging situations, taking on roles with significant baggage," he added.

In Glenfaba and Peel, Mr Boot and Mr Harmer were replaced by member of the Legislative Council Kate Lord-Brennan and former MHK and MLC Tim Crookall.

Image caption,

Tim Baker (left) has been an MHK since 2016, while Graham Cregeen was first elected in 2006

The two MHKs in both Onchan and Douglas Central were returned for a second term.

Rob Callister and Julie Edge topped the poll in the former, while Ann Corlett and Chris Thomas have been backed by voters in the latter.

Voters in Ramsey also backed Liberal Vannin leader Lawrie Hooper and Education Minister Alex Allison for another five years.

Image caption,

Claire Christian (left) and Sarah Maltby made history in Douglas South

In Garff, Daphne Caine was re-elected and will serve alongside Andrew Smith after Martin Perkins fail to secure enough support for a second term.

Mrs Caine said she was "humbled and delighted and look forward to getting back to work".

"It was a really positive election in terms of mutual respect and consensus in debate," she added.

Image source, Tim Glover
Image caption,

Jason Moorhouse (left) and Tim Glover won support in Arbory, Castletown and Malew

In the southern constituency of Rushen, Juan Watterson topped the poll for the fourth consecutive election and Michelle Haywood took the second seat.

In Douglas North, Ralph Peake was rejected by voters in favour of John Wannenburgh, while Health Minister David Ashford was returned for another five years.

There are two new MHKs in Middle as member of the Legislative Council Jane Poole-Wilson gained the support of voters, while former Manx Radio presenter Stu Peters took the second seat.

Mr Peters is one of two successful candidates who are former employees of island's national broadcaster alongside former news editor Mr Glover.

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