Six candidates are being fielded by the Isle of Man Green Party in the local and general elections.

The leader of the party Andrew Langan-Newton is standing in Rushen for a seat in the House of Keys, while Leo Cussons hopes to be elected MHK in Peel and Glenfaba.

Mr Langan-Newton, a practising Manx advocate, has been leader of the Green Party in the Isle of Man since its inception in 2016. He lives in Port St Mary.

He said: ’Since the Green Party was formed five years ago, it is clear more than ever what an opportunity we have in 2021 to show leadership on a positive future in the Isle of Man of clean energy and transport, opportunity for all, and good governance.’

Leo Cussons is election strategist for the party.

A businessman who lived for 10 years in the Netherlands working as an ERP computer consultant, he returned to live in the Isle of Man in 2004 and is currently the proprietor of Ken Quine’s hardware shop in Port Erin.

Mr Cussons said: ’Green politics is not about left or right but about a fair, just and sustainable future for all of us.

’Voting Green is common sense politics which in turn will create unity, harmony and success in our community. For far too long politicians have looked at the short term for their own careers.

’As part of the representation process, I have been canvassing since last September to understand why none of the major issues related to Glenfaba and Peel have been resolved.’

The local authority elections take place on Thursday, July 22.

Seeking re-election to Douglas Council, Andrew Bentley chairs the Green Party.

He has been representing Derby ward since 2018 and is standing in Douglas East.

He says his campaign is ’very simple: recycle, regenerate and recreate’.

Falk Horning is another sitting councillor, in Murrays ward, to seek re-election. He is the party secretary, standing in Douglas North and says: ’One of my central aims will be to increase the town’s recycling rate.’

In local authority elections, long-standing Braddan commissioner and a founding member of the Isle of Man Green Party Andrew Jessopp is seeking re-election.

Mr Jessopp, who stood unsuccessfully in the Douglas South Keys by-election last year, said: ’After waiting almost 20 years I am pleased that the building of the new community centre planned for the Strang Cornerfield has finally commenced. I very much hope the electorate of Braddan will give me the opportunity to see the project through to the end.’

Retired school teacher Phil Matthews is seeking election to Patrick Commissioners.

Mr Matthews works with several island-based charities and environmental organisations and was co-founder of the One World Centre in St John’s.

He says he wants to develop ’more effective links’ with MHKs and government departments on issues that are outside the responsibility of commissioners.