Chief Minister of the Isle of Man

Chief Minister of the Isle of Man
Ard-choylargh
since 12 October 2021
Office of the Chief Minister
StyleHonourable
Member ofCouncil of Ministers
SeatDouglas, Isle of Man
NominatorHouse of Keys
AppointerLieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man
on the nomination of and from among the members of the House of Keys
Term length5 years
Constituting instrumentCouncil of Ministers Act 1990
PrecursorChair of Executive Council
Formation16 December 1986
First holderMiles Walker
Salary£98,679.10
Websitewww.gov.im

The chief minister (Manx: Ard-hirveishagh) is the executive head of the Isle of Man Government.

The office derives from that of chairman of the Executive Council. Before 1980 the Executive Council was chaired by the lieutenant governor, but thereafter the chairman was elected by Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man.[1] The title was changed to "chief minister" in 1986.[2]

The chief minister is appointed by the lieutenant governor on the nomination of the House of Keys (formerly the nomination of Tynwald) after a general election for the House of Keys. He holds office until the next general election (i.e. normally for five years) and is eligible for re-appointment, but may be removed from office by simple majority in Tynwald on a vote of no confidence in the Council of Ministers.[3]

The incumbent chief minister is Alfred Cannan, who has held the office since 12 October 2021.

List of officeholders

Prior to 1986, the office of chief minister was known as the chairman of the Executive Council.

No. Chief Minister Took office Left office Tenure Party Election
1 Sir
Charles Kerruish

(1917–2003)
MHK for Garff

[4][5]
1961 1967 6 years Independent TBA
2 Norman Crowe
(1905–1992)
MHK for Michael

[5]
1967 1971 5 years Independent TBA
3 Percy Radcliffe
(1916–1991)
MHK for Ayre

[5]
1971 1977 6 years Independent TBA
4 Clifford Irving
(1914–2004)
MHK for Douglas East

[5]
1977 1981 4 years Independent TBA
(3) Percy Radcliffe
(1916–1991)
MHK for Ayre

[5]
1981 1985 4 years Independent TBA
5 Lt Col
Edgar Mann

(1926–2013)
MHK for Garff

[5]
1985 1986 1 year Independent TBA

Chief Ministers

1 Sir
Miles Walker

(born 1940)
MHK for Rushen
3 December 1986 3 December 1996 10 years, 0 days Independent 1986
1991
2 Donald Gelling
(born 1938)
MHK for Malew and Santon
3 December 1996 4 December 2001 5 years, 1 day Independent 1996
3 Richard Corkill
(born 1951)
MHK for Onchan
4 December 2001 14 December 2004[a] 3 years, 10 days Independent 2001
Allan Bell
(born 1947)
MHK for Ramsey
Caretaker
14 December 2004 1 day Independent Chairman
of the
Council
of Ministers

acting as
chief minister
(2) Donald Gelling
(born 1938)
MHK for Malew and Santon
14 December 2004 14 December 2006 2 years, 0 days Independent
4 Tony Brown
(born 1950)
MHK for Castletown
14 December 2006 11 October 2011 4 years, 301 days Independent 2006
5 Allan Bell
(born 1947)
MHK for Ramsey
11 October 2011 4 October 2016 4 years, 359 days Independent 2011
6 Howard Quayle
(born 1967)
MHK for Middle

[8]
4 October 2016 12 October 2021 5 years, 8 days Independent 2016
7 Alfred Cannan
(born 1968)
MHK for Ayre & Michael

[5][9]
12 October 2021 Incumbent 4 years, 164 days Independent 2021

Timeline

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of chief ministers of the Isle of Man, with the chairmen of the Executive Council also being included. In total, twelve people have served as either chairman of the Executive Council or chief minister of the Isle of Man since 1961. They are listed in the order in which they first assumed the office (acting officeholders are not listed).

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Corkill resigned after he and his wife were arrested on allegations of fraud regarding tourist grants.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ Constitution (Executive Council) (Amendment) Act 1980
  2. ^ Constitution (Executive Council) Act 1986
  3. ^ Council of Ministers Act 1990 section 2
  4. ^ Winterbottom, Derek (1 August 2003). "Sir Charles Kerruish". The Independent. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Allinson, Alex (23 October 2021). "All members must now play their part". Isle of Man. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  6. ^ Leigh, David (3 December 2004). "Manx chief minister quits over fraud claims". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  7. ^ Herbert, Ian (3 December 2004). "Isle of Man Chief Minister quits over corruption inquiry". The Independent. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  8. ^ MR (4 October 2016). "New Chief Minister of the Isle of Man". isleofman.com. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Isle of Man Government - Alfred Cannan appointed as Isle of Man's Chief Minister".