Two new candidates have announced their intention to stand in September’s general election.

Michael Josem has declared that he will stand as Lib Vannin’s candidate in the constituency of Douglas East.

Manx National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Tim Johnston has also said he will be standing for Ayre and Michael.

In Mr Josem’s announcement, he said: ’I have been fortunate to serve our island community as a volunteer for the Foodbank, local sporting teams and many other not-for-profit organisations.

’That’s why many residents have encouraged me to stand as a candidate for Douglas East - I’m running for all of us.

’Our campaign for Douglas East is about bouncing back better from the pandemic to build and rebuild our community organisations, to build our island as a shining beacon when much of the world faces stormy seas.

’Our campaign is for all of us - if your family has lived on the Isle of Man for thousands of years and if you’re a new arrival.

’Our campaign is about bouncing back better with a renewed focus on fairness, freedom, and most of all, a focus on our community.’

Mr Josem is originally from Australia but has lived in Douglas for more than decade and stood at the Douglas South by-election last August.

He currently works full-time as the founder of a not-for-profit lobby group, the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance, whilst also working part-time at the Co-op.

Mr Johnston, who has lived in the northern constituency for most of the last 35 years, says he is passionate about agriculture and the rural economy, as well as providing young people with quality education and access to housing and employment in order to motivate them to stay on the island.

He said: ’I understand the importance of farming to this community and its role in the wider rural economy, not just in producing world-class local food but increasingly recognising not only the importance of the environment and biodiversity but also the mitigation of climate change.

’All rural communities need a strong voice in Tynwald so that their concerns are heard and policies reflect rural needs, for example, decent roads, better broadband and vehicle taxation that is fair for rural drivers whose cars are often a lifeline.’

He also outlined the challenges he feels a future government faces: the pandemic’s impact on jobs, health, mental health and public finances.