The chair of the Liberal Vannin political party will step down on January 11.

Michael Josem, originally from Australia, is quitting just months after unsuccessfully fighting the Douglas South by-election on a Lib-Van ticket.

’Paul Weatherall is the existing secretary and I wanted him to take over leadership,’ he said. ’And there’s my own individual, professional reasons [for resigning].’

Mr Josem had been in the role for 18 months.

He said: ’I will remain a member of Liberal Vannin and continue to promote the party’s ideals and build a sense of community by helping people.’

Founded in 2006 by Peter Karran MHK, the party has seen Kate Beecroft as leader from 2014 to 2020, with Lawrie Hooper MHK now the sole representative of the party in the House of Keys.

When asked what the most challenging aspects of being the chairman had been, Mr Josem replied: ’In a relatively small community like the Isle of Man, it’s difficult to build a strong and vigorous institution, as there’s only a small population. That’s a challenge for any small place.’

He said he plans to start his own non-for-profit, Manx-based organisation completely separate from Liberal Vannin.

’All will be revealed in 2021, as I’m still in the planning stages,’ he said.

’I’d like to thank everyone who has shown their support for me throughout my time as chair and I’m very grateful.’