One of the island’s longest standing politicians is to step down in February.

David Anderson MLC announced his decision after 17 years in the Manx political spotlight.

He was elected to the Legislative Council in 2015, for what was intended to be a five-year term.

Mr Anderson told the Examiner he had been thinking about the decision for a while and had business interests he would like to pursue, which being outside of Tynwald would allow him to do.

The son of former President of the Legislative Council Ian Anderson, he was first elected as MHK for Glenfaba in 2001.

The dairy farmer and former Patrick commissioner was re-elected in 2006 and 2011 and had held a number of posts in government.

He served as minister for education during Donald Gelling’s second term as Chief Minister 2004-2006 and minister for transport 2006-2010 before being appointed health minister, a role he continued in until 2014.

While health minister, he survived a vote of no confidence, tabled by Rushen MHK Lawrence Skelly 15-9 after the Legislative Council voted unanimously in his favour.

During his time in Tynwald, Mr Anderson also served in many departments and committees.

He also was chairman of the special committee on the public services commission joint negotiating committee.

He said: ’I enjoyed working in all three departments and I had a good rapport with civil servants, there were difficult times but on the whole I’ve enjoyed my time. I am proud to have represented Glenfaba, especially at Tynwald Day.’

Recently, he was said to be ’dismayed’ at reporting of a Freedom of Information inquiry about 16 water pollution investigations at his farm.

Mr Anderson also caused controversy after comments he made while transport minister angered Manx hauliers.

At the time he said the lorries the department commissions must be ’fit for purpose, safe, competent and value for money’.

Some hauliers took this as a suggestion that local lorries were not and a belief that local firms were being overlooked led to protests by the island’s truckers.

It was also during this time that the DoI bought cottages on the Old Castletown Road due to complaints by residents of vibrations caused by a pumping station on the IRIS project sewage system.

Mr Anderson said besides his business interests he was looking forward to getting out cycling more often and long walks.

His decision leaves five seats up for grabs in the 2018 Legislative Council election, scheduled for March.

The election was due to be held for four seats with Juan Turner, Jane Poole-Wilson, Geoff Corkish and Michael Coleman at the end of their five-year terms.

Mr Anderson’s seat will be contested for a two-year term only.

His time as a politician is not the only time he has represented the island.

He competed at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, as well as once being a veteran world champion at the 400m hurdles.