Douglas goes to the polls in a week's time

Polling cards delivered by Council this morning

Democracy in the Island’s capital will swing into action soon, as four candidates look to win the favour of voters and take their place on the vacant seat in Derby Ward.

Residents will this morning (2 August) receive a polling card and then next week be given the chance to choose their representative.

Architect and Isle of Man Green Party chairman Andrew Bentley is standing, as is teacher and previous Douglas East House of Keys election candidate Amanda Walker.

They’re joined by company director and independent candidate Charlton Krentz, and civil servant Claire Newall, who’ll all look to top the poll.

The vacant seat was made available after Ferdinand Pabellan stepped down on grounds of ill health.

There are 2,478 people registered to vote in Derby Ward, but this section of the public haven’t always been able to choose their two councillors. Recent elections went uncontested after only three names were put forward.

That’s something Douglas Council leader David Christian wants to see change, after recently lamenting some of the ‘historically low’ turnouts in elections.

It may be one of the last times a vote is held in Derby Ward in its current form. At present there are six wards, represented by three councillors which make up the 18 seats on the Council.