Dear Elector,

During the last five years the Isle of Man Government has faced more serious challenges than any other government in living memory. Brexit, Laxey valley flooding, Climate change, International scrutiny of company ownership, and finally the Covid global pandemic. Administrations in the past have generally had only one of such threats to deal with. This administration, although not perfect, has tackled each one head on and has done its best to resolve the situation for the benefit of all island residents. There is still a way to go but being an independent jurisdiction has enabled us to vigorously defend our national interest for the benefit of our people. If we didn’t have Tynwald we would be like the Isle of Wight with one MP in Westminster and be dictated to by the ruling party line in Westminster.

There are, without doubt some serious challenges which lie ahead. The main one being that we must rebalance our public finances. As the worldwide economic situation recovers from the effects of Covid it is vital we recognise the threats and opportunities. We must have a nimble and bold approach to making the most of them for the benefit of our Island.

I am totally committed to a confident politically stable Island that has a strong economy and meets our international environmental obligations.

The Tynwald that is elected in September will need to have members that know when to challenge and when to support Government. Members continually posing and throwing rocks from the side-lines will be an unwelcome distraction. Teamwork, experience with reasoned challenge and a steady hand on the tiller will be the way forward at this critical time in the island’s history.

Yours sincerely