Chief Minister promises ‘agenda for change’ within weeks

Chief Minister Chris Thomas has said further political appointments and an ‘agenda for change’ will be announced in the coming weeks as his new administration prepares to set out its priorities.

Speaking to Isle of Man Today on Wednesday, Mr Thomas said the next step was to complete the political appointments following last week's announcement of his Council of Ministers.

He said the Government would also reveal measures already taken as it sought to deliver on its commitment to change.

'We've also got some things we'll be announcing what we've done already because we're trying to deliver the mandate for change,' he said.

'That will mean that we'll be doing things in the next week or so, and then we'll come back with an agenda for change, something like that, in a week or so's time.'

Mr Thomas was speaking during an event marking the signing of a friendship and co-operation agreement between Douglas and Dublin.

He has yet to announce the remaining departmental political members and appoint a Deputy Chief Minister.

Last week, Mr Thomas announced eight members of the Council of Ministers, retaining the Cabinet Office portfolio himself.

The team includes Robert Cowell as Enterprise Minister, Sarah Maltby for Education, Sport and Culture, Dr Rachel Glover for Environment, Food and Agriculture, Claire Christian for Health and Social Care, Jason Moorhouse for Infrastructure, Jane Poole-Wilson for Justice and Home Affairs, and Michael Crowe for the Treasury.

At the time, Mr Thomas said the appointments reflected a breadth of experience and backgrounds, adding that there was scope for further appointments as the administration's priorities became clearer.

He said his Government needed to address issues that mattered to the public and make the most of opportunities facing the island.