Honour should be paid to a champion of the Manx people, Cornelius Smelt , with a statue of him completing the column in Castletown’s Market Square.

That’s the view of resident David Bromilow who is calling for action to be taken to finish off a project begun after the former lieutenant governor’s death in 1832.

But former town MHK and chief minister Tony Brown said there’s a reason insufficient funds were raised at the time.

History books record Cornelius Smelt, lieutenant governor between 1805 and 1832, favourably.

’He was responsible for intervening to alleviate the suffering of the Manx famine caused by the abuse of power by authorities who caused and ignored the basic needs of the island’s population,’ said Mr Bromilow.

’The public raised funds to erect the statue after the idea was put forward by Sir William Hillary, the RNLI founder as a permanent reminder of Mr Smelt’s work and a reminder that with power comes responsibility.’

The colonel’s funeral attracted a large crowd of mourners and brass six pounder gun fired 85 times at intervals for two hours to mark each of his years.

At his funeral Hugh Stowell, rector of Ballaugh, said: ’He identified himself with the people over whom he was called to preside. He regarded their interests as his interests, and their welfare as his welfare. He generously patronised our schools, and liberally contributed to their support. He may truly be said to have loved our nation and to have laboured for her good.’

Sir Hillary began a public movement to raise £200 for a monument, he wanted a statue although there were plans for an urn to go on top of the column that sits in the square today. The column is empty as the funds ran out. Today it serves as a plinth for an inflatable Santa at Christmas.

Mr Brown has a different view of Colonel Smelt and believes there would not be a lot of support for the idea.

’Farmers were protesting about something and he brought the troops out. He was not exceptional, there are other more worthy lieutenant governors who have done more for the island. That’s why they didn’t raise enough funds to finish the memorial.’

The Gawne family from Kentraugh donated money so they could at least afford a column. In the 1970s they wanted it removed.