Two candidates are vying for votes in the race to become the island’s next Chief Minister.

But it is by no means guaranteed that either Kirrie Jenkins or Chris Thomas will win or secure the 13 votes they need - as history tells us.

Twenty years ago, there were three nominations for the role of Chief Minister following the 2006 general election. But none of them ended up getting the top job.

Instead a new candidate was waiting in the wings - the then House of Keys Speaker Tony Brown.

Back then the election of Chief Minister was carried out through a ballot of all Tynwald members, rather than just MHKs as it is today.

Three candidates put their name forward - Steve Rodan (Garff), David Cannan (Michael) and John Shimmin (Douglas West).

The ballot took place on December 5. In the first round Mr Cannan secured eight votes, Mr Rodan nine and Mr Shimmin eight.

With no candidate securing a majority of the votes of the members present, a second ballot was held.

But this was to prove equally indecisive - with Mr Cannan picking up seven votes, Mr Rodan nine and Mr Shimmin 10.

Last-placed Mr Cannan’s name was deleted for the next round of voting. This time Mr Rodan secured nine votes and Mr Shimmin 11. There were 11 spoilt papers - prompting the Lord Bishop to call out: ‘Shame!’

There was to be fourth and final ballot that morning - again with no clear result. With Mr Rodan picking up eight votes and Mr Shimmin 12, Tynwald president Noel Cringle called for fresh nominations.

On the Thursday of the following week, there was another election and this time there was only one name on the ballot paper - Castletown MHK Tony Brown.

He breezed through to victory receiving 27 votes. A motion for Mr Brown to be nominated as Chief Minister was then carried by 30 votes to two.