New Chief Minister of the Isle of Man

TONY Brown has today (Thursday, December 14, 2006) been appointed as the new Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, succeeding Donald Gelling as the leader of the Island’s Government.

Mr Brown was elected to the post by Tynwald, the Manx Parliament, and formally appointed on behalf of the Crown by the Island’s Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks.

Mr Brown, (56), is the longest serving Member of the House of Keys (Tynwald’s directly elected first chamber), having represented the town of Castletown since 1981. He has served as Minister in charge of a number of government departments – Health and Social Security, Local Government and the Environment, Tourism and Leisure, and Transport – and was latterly Speaker of the House of Keys.

He commented:

‘It is a real honour to be appointed Chief Minister of the Isle of Man. I am committed to continuing the Island’s success story of the past two decades and to maintaining an environment where businesses and individuals can flourish.

‘The task ahead is to build on the Isle of Man’s reputation as a competitive but responsible international business centre, and to keep on growing our economy for the benefit of all of the people of the Island.’

Mr Brown added:

‘I would like to pay a personal tribute to the outgoing Chief Minister, Donald Gelling, who has served the Island with such dedication and distinction.’

The new Chief Minister’s appointment follows a recent general election to the House of Keys, which is held every five years. Mr Gelling did not seek re-election as Chief Minister and is retiring from Tynwald after 20 years service.