The Manx Labour Party (MLP) has officially launched its 2021 elections manifesto.

At the political party’s annual general meeting on Saturday, it featured an opening speech from MLP leader Joney Faragher, manifesto introduction from member Samuel Hamer, a discussion about the economy by Devon Watson, and the importance of trade unions from Debbie Halsall.

There are three MLP candidates running in this year’s general election in September: chairwoman Sarah Maltby for Douglas South, Gareth Young for Garff and Joney Faragher for Douglas East.

In the local authority elections, there are four candidates in the running from the Party: Devon Watson, Peter Washington and Samuel Hamer for the Douglas wards and Fenella Logan for Onchan.

Created in 1918 following the First World War, MLP’s core values are equality, sustainability, solidarity, progression and democracy.

Some of the core aims that were revealed as part of its manifesto are policies that end poverty and homelessness, the sharing of the island’s economic success among all parts of society, a Green New Deal (ensuring the island is at the forefront of the emerging green economy), fit-for-purpose housing as a right for all people, the decriminalising of marijuana use and for drug addiction not to be treated as a criminal issue.

Areas covered within the MLP manifesto document include housing, education, employees’ rights, health and social services, poverty, environment, policies for the older generation, justice and policing, legislation and government accountability, the economy, agriculture and fishing, retail, tourism and travel links, e-business and IT, tax and the MLP’s history.

There are currently no MLP members in Tynwald.

To view its manifesto online, visit https://www.manxlabourparty.com/2021/05/17/manx-labour-party-manifesto/