Do you think the island should have better representation in Britain by electing an MP?

Tory backbencher Andrew Rosindell posed the question of whether the island should have its own MP at Westminster to address what he believes is a ’democracy deficit’.

The chairman of the all party group parliamentary for the Channel Islands said independent governments of the Crown Dependencies - Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man - should be able to seek fairer representation in the UK.

Foreign affairs, defence, use of currency and Brexit are what he has listed as decisions made by the UK parliament that affect these nations.

Speaking to shopper on Strand Street, Douglas, we got their thoughts.

’Yes, we should have more representation.’ said Aimee Morrow, 26, from Castletown.

’At the moment we don’t really get a say in most things. We tend to follow suit in from the UK and decisions that are made in Westminster are going to affect us.’

She added: ’I’m not saying we should be a part of the UK.’

Steve Babb, 47, from Onchan, said: ’No. I think the representation that exists in parliament could be a lot better, but we’re an independent country.

’We have our own government, our own economy... We need stronger representation as an independent nation, particularly in light of Brexit.’

He gave the historic example of the island being financially hit by the British government, which imposed its Smuggling Act 1765 on the Isle of Man.

Britain had earlier placed custom duties on all goods, which put pressure on the island’s independence and free-trade policy. Many Manxmen went against this by smuggling wine, rum, tobacco into British ports.

The island’s wealth grew while valuable tax was taken away from Britain. Therefore the Crown regained control by enforcing the Act in the island.

This badly affected the island’s revenue with people falling into poverty, Mr Babb said. ’The Isle of Man should be treated as fairly as any other country,’ he added.

Michael Corlett, 32, from Mount Murray, said: ’I guess having an MP would make more of an impact. I wouldn’t vote for it because I’m not really into politics and this whole Brexit thing is a joke and doesn’t give you any motivation to get involved in voting.’

Christine Easdale, 69, from Ludlow in Shropshire, said: ’We think you should stay well away from having an MP.’

Her husband Roland, 69, said: We’re thinking of coming over here and living with you [to escape the UK politics]. It’s a huge embarrassment, our party politics. On the global stage the UK must look like idiots!

’What I like about your politics is that you haven’t got that party allegiance. You’ve got independent people.’

He added that he likes how residents can get in touch directly with MHKs and get an answer. ’You can’t do that with MPs,’ he said.

Gill Swales, 77, from Governor’s Hill, said: ’We’ve got no say in Westminster.

’They tell us what we can do and what we cannot do. We should have some say and should still be in charge of our own affairs.’

She’s not certain electing an MP is the right option as they ’are representing themselves, not the people’.