Jenkins v Thomas in battle for the top job 

MHKs will pick the new chief minister next Tuesday

Two MHKs are setting out competing visions for the future of the Manx Government as the new House of Keys prepares to elect a successor to Alfred Cannan.

Kirrie Jenkins and Chris Thomas have both put themselves forward for the top job. 

They've published written statements to accompany their nomination which set out the priorities and style of government they would pursue if elected.

Jenkins

Ms Jenkins, nominated by Katryna Baptist and seconded by Stephen Broad, frames her candidacy around a break from the 'old ways' and a demand for change. 

Her statement headed "A New House A New Approach", states: "People don't expect miracles. But they do expect a government that works as hard as they do."

She sets out three principles for rebuilding trust:

"Credibility - in our problem solving and decision making. Reliability - in our delivery and leadership. Honesty - in our communication and results."

Ms Jenkins argues that the next chief minister should have 'won the popular vote in their own constituency' and be 'one of high moral character'. 

She writes: "MHK's, the civil service and the public need to be brought together to solve big challenges over the next five years. Anyone who sows division is working against the people, not for them."

Her programme is built on three pillars: "Streamline. Strengthen. Stabilise."

She explains: "Make government leaner and faster. Build stronger from the ground up. In turbulent financial seas be a safe harbour."

She commits to a three-stage initial programme plan: discovery, strategy and mandate.

Ms Jenkins also emphasises a more collegiate style of governing, writing: "For too long, too much has depended on decisions being driven from the centre." 

She adds: "Our test will be simple: are we leaving the Isle of Man stronger than we found it?"

You can read her statement HERE.

Thomas

Mr Thomas, the current treasury minister, has been nominated by Rob Cowell and seconded by Jane Poole-Wilson.

His platform is built on what he calls a 'smaller, smarter, smoother government' in a 'fair, firm, free Island'.

He sets out a series of priorities he would pursue including refreshing the Economic Strategy in November, bringing a legislative programme to Tynwald before Christmas and holding a debate on migration and border policy in January.

He also proposes a debate on development viability and a bus strategy before Christmas. 

Mr Thomas says that 'public service productivity is key as we need more for less', calling for recruitment controls and a workforce plan focused on retention and multi-year pay agreements. 

He says services should be 'joined up rather than shared and delivered smoothly rather than in silos'.

On housing, he proposes a Housing and Planning Policy Minister to lead a 'costed and prioritised national plan to house local people', alongside rent-to-buy support, improved shared equity schemes and a vacant properties initiative.

He also calls for restraint on electricity charges, Steam Packet fares and freight charges and waste costs.

Mr Thomas says Council of Ministers 'should be practically and culturally one body which is able to make decisions and assign responsibility more quickly'.

He adds that the next government needs to communicate better, with 'more detailed Council of Ministers minutes published'.

You can read his statement HERE.

Election

Both candidates stress the need for delivery over division and both invoke the new House of Keys as a mandate for change. 

The House of Keys will vote to elect the new chief minister on Tuesday, 13 October. 

You can hear from the candidates on Manx Radio's Chief Minister Debate on Thursday (8 October) from 6pm on Manx Radio's FM frequency, YouTube, social media and your smart tv.