Liberal Vannin leader Lawrie Hooper insists he is not considering standing for election for chief minister.

Mr Hooper,who is currently the party’s only representative in the House of Keys, nominated Kate Beecroft, then LibVan leader, during the election for chief minister in 2016.

She however picked up just three votes, the third vote coming from her seconder Julie Edge, who, however, quit Beecroft’s party in 2017.

In 2011, the then LibVan leader Peter Karran stood against Allan Bell for the top job but picked up just three votes.

On social media, Mr Hooper dismissed the idea that he could be in the running for the top job in Manx politics.

He posted: ’For the record - I do not intend to enter the running to become the next Chief Minister.

’Liberal Vannin will be fielding a number of candidates in September who all look forward to electing and working with a progressive Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.’

Another MHK who has ruled himself out is Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford.

He told the Examiner: ’I haven’t decided if I’m standing yet - to be honest I’ve not had the opportunity to even think about it. But if I did I doubt I would be a candidate for CM I would imagine there are other candidates for that role.’

Chief Minister Howard Quayle announced last week that he will not be standing again in September’s general election.

Mr Quayle will continue as Chief Minister until the new House of Keys elects his successor which is likely to take place in the first week in October.

The only MHK so far to confirm he will put his hat in the ring is Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson if he retains his Ramsey seat in September.

He said: ’If I get the chance to stand for Chief Minister and have the backing of the people of Ramsey and other MHKs I will do so.

’I have always been keen to seize opportunities when they arise and do the best job for the island that I can.’

Dr Allinson will likely be vying against Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan.

Mr Cannan put his name forward for the biggest role in Manx politics in 2016, securing nine votes to Howard Quayle’s 21.

But he has so far declined to comment about his plans.

He told Isle of Man Newspapers last week: ’Whilst I totally accept that there is a growing interest in the September 2021 election, there is still significant work to complete relating to economic stability and recovery post-Covid. It is probably best that this work is undertaken without other distractions at this moment in time.’