Four elected to serve on Isle of Man Legislative Council

The successful candidates will sit on the Legislative Council for five years

The Isle of Man government's former equality advisor has been elected to the upper chamber of the Manx parliament.

Dawn Kinnish is one of four candidates elected to serve on the Legislative Council until February 2028.

Diane Kelsey, Tanya August-Hanson and Paul Craine also successfully secured re-election to the council.

The council is primarily a scrutiny body which reviews new laws.

Ms Kelsey topped the vote, gaining the support of 19 members of the House of Keys.

Ms August-Hanson and Ms Kinnish both secured 17 votes while Mr Craine received 15.

Dawn Kinnish is the newest member of the Legislative Council

Ms Kinnish said she was "absolutely delighted" to be the only new member on the council.

When scrutinising legislation, she said she would always apply an "equality lens" to keep "protecting minority voices or underrepresented groups" in mind.

She said: "I do still think we have a long journey to go on this island to represent the views of disabled people... that's something that's really entrenched in my heart."

Tanya August-Hanson has been re-elected after serving a full five-year term

Ms August-Hanson said when she heard the result it was "a very emotional moment", as the job meant "an awful lot" to her.

She said: "I've loved the work that I've been doing and I really want to carry on... and now I'm able to."

The regulation of care legislation within the Department of Health and Social Care and the Children and Young Persons Act were two areas Ms August-Hanson said were of particular interest.

Paul Craine has retained his seat after 15 months serving on the council

Paul Craine said he was "thrilled" to be re-elected for the next five years, describing the role as a "great privilege".

There was "a lot of work to do to deliver what the administration has taken on", he said.

That included "the Island Plan and Economic Strategy and all the work involved in that", he added.

Also re-elected after 15 months in the role, Diane Kelsey said she was "very relieved and grateful" to have been voted in with the biggest majority.

Diane Kelsey has been re-elected after 15 months as an MLC

She said 15 months did not feel long enough "to make a difference", so she was excited to "try and help and support the Isle of Man move forward" over the next five years.

In the short term Ms Kelsey said she was interested in the issue of vaping laws on the island and was expecting a vapour products bill to be brought to the House of Keys and Legislative Council.

Eleven candidates took part in the contest, with Kirrie Anne Jenkins, Gary Clueit, Peter Reid, Connor Keenan, Brian Brumby, Marie Birtles and David Prictor failing to gain enough support.