There are now nine candidates for next month’s election of the Legislative Council.

From February 28, there will be five vacancies to fill rather the expected four given David Anderson’s decision to step down two years early.

Four of the seats up for grabs in March are for a five-year term ending in February 2023 with Mr Anderson’s a two-year term ending in February 2020.

The four members with terms ending are Michael Coleman, Geoff Corkish, Juan Turner and Jane Poole-Wilson who replaced Tony Wild 2017.

Mrs Poole-Wilson is so far the only member who has announced their intention to contest their seat, she was nominated by Mrs Daphne Caine MHK, seconded by Mr Bill Shimmins with Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK and Mr Martyn Perkins MHK her supporters.

Former Douglas Mayor John Skinner has been nominated by health minister David Ashford MHK, seconded by Mrs Ann Corlett MHK with infrastructure minister Ray Harmer MHK and Mr Tim Baker MHK as his supporters.

Ms Dawn Joughin, a lawyer, has been nominated by Julie Edge MHK seconded by Dr Alex Allinson MHK with Miss Clare Bettison MHK and Mrs Ann Corlett MHK her supporters.

Mr Juan Kelly, a banker, has been nominated by Policy and Reform minister Chris Thomas MHK, seconded by Lawrie Hooper MHK with David Ashford MHK and Mr Bill Shimmins MHK his supporters.

Mrs Kate Lord-Brennan, member of Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading, has been nominated by Martyn Perkins MHK seconded by Ray Harmer MHK with Mrs Daphne Caine MHK, Dr Alex Allinson MHK and Tim Baker MHK as her supporters.

Mrs Kerry Sharpe, journalist, director and author, has been nominated by Ralph Peake MHK, seconded by Martyn Perkins MHK with Tim Baker MHK and Bill Shimmins MHK as her supporters.

Mrs Tanya Humbles, producer and presenter for Manx Radio, has been nominated by Miss Clare Bettison MHK, seconded by David Ashford MHK with Mr Lawrie Hooper MHK, Ray Harmer MHK, Geoffrey Boot MHK, Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Mr Chris Robertshaw MHK, Mrs Kate Beecroft MHK and Mr Jason Moorhouse MHK as her supporters.

Mrs Marlene Hendy, architect and member of the All-Island Planning Committee, has been nominated by Dr Alex Allinson MHK with Mr Tim Baker MHK as her seconder and Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK and Mr Lawrie Hooper MHK as her supporters.

Mr Kevin Cartledge, a retired banker and current member of the Public Service Commission, has been nominated by David Ashford MHK, seconded by Jason Moorhouse MHK and has Bill Shimmins MHK and Graham Cregeen MHK as his supporters.