We must do
better for future generations

It’s been another rewarding day door knocking in our constituency, both in Colby and Castletown, the weather certainly played its part with Castletown resembling the Riviera. While every area has its own character the same issues keep coming up. Take our schools for example, school drop-off and pick-up at Arbory School has been a problem for as long as I can remember – certainly since my own children attended the school. Despite years passing, the parking and traffic situatio

This morning I attended the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce breakfast briefing. It was an insightful opportunity to hear directly from one of the Island’s leading business organisations about how they view the current state of our economy and the challenges facing businesses, and it gave me an opportunity to reconnect with key business stakeholders. Their presentation contained some sobering statistics: 🎯Treasury figures show the Island’s GDP fell by 7.4% in the two years to

This morning I took the time to chat with the protestors outside Tynwald. These are ordinary people - although many would say extraordinary - who have had their lives turned upside down by the proposed offshore wind farm, much like the residents at Earystane facing the proposed onshore development. They have devoted countless hours to researching the proposals, attending meetings, reading reports, and standing up for what they genuinely believe in. Too often those who raise

If you are interested in knowing a bit more about my approach the interview with Manx Radio is now available to view. https://youtu.be/1CCwIKWzHc4?si=_-1b8XZWQMDoQRYg

The in-person hearings for the Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm application came to a close today. It has been a long and demanding week, but one that has brought significant issues surrounding the proposal into the open. The inquiries provided an important opportunity to scrutinise the evidence question the applicant, and ensure that local voices have been heard. Although the in-person hearings have now finished the inquiry itself is not over. There is still an opportunity to

In the UK transparency is spread across several platforms the ‘Theyworkforyou’ website helps people track how their MPs voted in Parliament while ‘ThePublicWhip’ provides detailed records of parliamentary votes; and the official UK Parliament website also allows the public to view MP’s voting records, speeches, and committee work. Together these services make it relatively easy to hold elected representatives to account. The new Isle of Man website ‘keydecisions.im’ although

One of the most interesting documents submitted during the latest Mooir Vannin examination is the “Without Prejudice Indicative Alternative Layout, which has appeared ahead of next weeks round of hearings. This is effectively the developer’s Plan B. The company makes it clear that it still wants approval for its original 1.4 GW proposal. However, recognising the strength of concerns raised during the examination, it has produced a smaller alternative that it says could be app

More than 5 years on Arbory & Rushen Parish Commissioners, including two terms as Chair, has taught me that good representation is about more than attending meetings or making promises. It is about doing the work: reading reports, analysing legislation, understanding the detail, listening to people and standing up for your community when it matters. A good example was the Local Government (Amendment) Bill. As Chair, I was concerned that a Clause inserted at the eleventh hour

Tynwald day is a reminder of who we are as a nation and the values that have shaped the Isle of Man for generations - community, fairness, openness and the belief that people should have a voice in the decisions that effect their lives. As someone born and raised in the south of the island, I’ve always felt strongly that our landscapes, our heritage and our communities are not things we simply inherit - we hold them in trust for future generations. Today was a powerful remind

I’ve had a lot of conversations on the doorstep recently about planning, and I completely understand why people care so much about it. Planning affects where homes are built, roads, infrastructure, landscapes, local services and the places people care about. Decisions made today can change communities for generations. I’ve spent six years on the Board of Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners dealing with local planning issues and seeing first-hand how planning decisions affe

The Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm proposal is one of the headline topics facing the Isle of Man right now and it will almost certainly still be one of the biggest issues during the general election. Whatever side people sit on, support it, oppose it or are somewhere in the middle, it deserves proper scrutiny. I registered as a stakeholder in the MIMA process back at the beginning of the public Inquiry and I’ve been involved in it from the start. I haven’t built my views from

The Isle of Man has always been a place of opportunity. We have strong foundations - a mature finance sector, an entrepreneurial culture and a resilient community that has adapted and succeeded through change. But many people are asking - are we building an economy that will give the next generation the same opportunities we had, and for many families, life feels harder than it did a few years ago. People see it in rising household bills, childcare expenses, housing costs and

This week I was interviewed by Manx Wildlife Trust as part of their General Election candidate series, discussing my views on nature, conservation and the environment ahead of the election. Environmental issues have been an important part of my life for many years. Growing up on Moorhouse Farm gave me a deep appreciation of the countryside and the natural world, while later living in Hong Kong exposed me to the challenges of pollution, overdevelopment and habitat loss. My env

Was it truly OUR Island Plan?

“I am pleased to confirm my support for the MNFU Manifesto and the positive vision it sets out for the future of farming and rural communities.” Ariculture is not simply a policy area for me – it is part of my life and my family’s history. I grew up on Moorhouse Farm in the south of the Island and have spent most of my life around farming. From an early age, I understood the dedication and hard work required to produce food and sustain rural communities. My commitment to agri

I am proud to announce that I will be standing as an independent candidate in the forthcoming House of Keys General Election for Arbory, Castletown & Malew because I believe the Isle of Man needs a new kind of leadership – responsible, experienced, and prepared to challenge the way things have always been done. The island has enormous potential, but we need fresh thinking and long-term planning to deliver real improvement for us all. This election is about restoring trust, st