Peters: 'I quit DoI because of potential conflict with new minister'

MHK also rules himself out of ever joining CoMin saying he has 'no ambition'

Reshuffling the Council of Ministers has sparked further changes in the political make-up of the current administration.

Middle MHK Stu Peters has resigned from the Department of Infrastructure following confirmation that Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood is now in charge.

He’d been a political member there since 2022 but says the new minister needs to choose her own team.

In a discussion on Manx Forums Mr Peters said he’d also ruled himself out of ever joining the Council of Ministers saying he had ‘no ambition’ to do so.

In a post on Monday (25 November) he wrote: "I’m too old and tired to be working 12+hour days, lack the institutional memory to answer detailed supplementary questions, don’t play well with others and work best as an autocrat rather than a bureaucrat.

"Benevolent Dictator For Life is the only promotion I’d consider. 

"I’ve resigned from DoI today so MH (Michelle Haywood) (who I admire for taking the reins) can put her own choice of person in, and that has saved me from attending seven meetings this week alone - I hate meetings.”

Mr Peters told Manx Radio he believed it was the honourable thing to do:

You can find out more about the new-look Council of Ministers HERE.

Responding to this article on X (Twitter) Onchan MHK Rob Callister praised Mr Peters' stance, saying: 'given the changes in the department over the weekend, I certainly wouldn’t be hanging around either'.

Brilliant interview by my colleagues Stu Peters - such an open and honest take on the situation…… given the changes in the department over the weekend, I certainly wouldn’t be hanging around either. https://t.co/0ot213m4On

— Rob Callister - MHK for Onchan (@robcallister) November 27, 2024

Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood gave the following response to Manx Radio in light of Mr Peters' and Mr Callister's comments:

'I’m saddened that Mr Peters decided to resign from his post in DoI as I would have valued his input to ensure some continuity as I get to grips with my new role.

'I wish him well with his much clearer diary now he’s not attending so many meetings. Unfortunately, that is a major part of the job and a critical part of developing good governance around decision making. 

'Mr Callister’s comment that he wouldn’t have ‘hung around’ given the changes are unwarranted. Given the history between us, Mr Callister can rest assured that I won’t be asking him to join my Department.'