'CoMin is not a happy place', says former DOI minister 

Michelle Haywood says she was informed of sacking via a 'quick, hurried' WhatsApp call

The former infrastructure minister has accused the chief minister of shaping policy in response to social media pressure. 

It comes a day after Alfred Cannan reshuffled his Cabinet, removing Alex Allinson as Treasury Minister and Dr Michelle Haywood from her role as Infrastructure Minister.

Mr Cannan has said ongoing issues, including the 20mph speed limit rollout, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill and proposed minimum wage changes, demonstrate what he describes as “ongoing clashes” between government and society.

You can find out more HERE.

Chris Thomas has been appointed as the Island’s new Treasury Minister, while Tim Crookall takes over at the Department of Infrastructure - a position he has now held three times during the current administration.

For the first time since her sacking, Dr Michelle Haywood has spoken out exclusively to Manx Radio. 

'A quick, hurried phone call'

The Rushen MHK says she was shocked to receive a WhatsApp call from the chief minister informing her of the changes.

"I had no communication from the chief minister over the weekend. I had a WhatsApp telephone call shortly before 8am yesterday morning." - Michelle Haywood

She adds that she later found out other members were informed of the intended changes before she was:

'Policies'

Dr Haywood has accused the chief minister of reacting to social media sentiment when making policy decisions, claiming this approach has “fundamentally undone some of the Island Plan”:

'A scapegoat'

Speaking about the 20mph policy - which would have seen new signage erected in Onchan and Douglas this week - Dr Haywood says she believes she has been made a scapegoat.

"Tynwald has voted for it twice and I took it back and implemented a plan last year. We went through the implementation plan in the Council of Ministers. I took that forward to Tynwald. It got approved so the direction of travel has been well set. 

"That consultation has been an extended consultation. There have been hundreds of responses to it, all the stuff is open and published on the 20mph website and this is Mr Cannan just reacting to the wind blowing in a different direction."

'Sea terminal and airport'

Dr Haywood says she was fully aware of the challenges facing the department when she took on the role of minister, particularly around the cost of the new Liverpool Ferry Terminal.

"I was working on what would be the largest figure that the Island would be expecting to pay over the Liverpool Sea Terminal, knowing we were in negotiations."

She also described Ronaldsway Airport as a “challenging and highly regulated” environment:

'DOI ministers'

Despite six appointments holding the infrastructure brief during this administration, Dr Haywood insists the department is manageable.

"When I entered, I had the longest to do list anyone has ever seen because there were a number of Tynwald and Island Plan commitments that weren't being delivered on." 

Commenting on her successor Tim Crookall, she questioned whether he is sufficiently detail-focused.

"Mr Crookall resigned last year due to changes to the Transport Strategy but there has been no fundamental changes to that document between when he signed it and when I took it to Tynwald.... I am not sure if he is a detail man. I fear he will sit there and bide out time until the election."

Dr Haywood also criticised the culture within the Council of Ministers, saying she has never experienced a group with “less team spirit, support and leadership from the person in charge”:

Commenting on her role as the DOI minister, Dr Haywood says she was working on:

• The reinstatement of the horse trams,
• The cost of the Liverpool Ferry Terminal,
• The finalisation of the Steam Packet's lease for the new terminal 
• The sea services agreement 

"My concerns are that the progress that is needed won't happen."

Dr Haywood was also asked about her immediate future plans: 

You can listen to the full interview here: