How to pick a Chief Minister

MHKs will vote on Tuesday to choose Alfred Cannan's successor

The House of Keys will meet on Tuesday to pick a Chief Minister, with Kirrie Jenkins and Chris Thomas the two candidates standing.

The way the Island’s chief minister is chosen is set down in the Council of Ministers Act 1990, which requires a nomination vote within one month of a general election, a no-confidence vote or a vacancy in the office.

Candidates must have submitted their policy statement to the House of Keys seven days before the sitting, which both Mrs Jenkins and Mr Thomas have done and can be found here.  

While it is a two-horse race, at the moment, the process involves more than a simple vote. 

Other MHKs will have a chance to question them and to be chosen, a candidate needs the support of at least 13 members present. 

However, if neither Mrs Jenkins or Mr Thomas reach the magic number Speaker David Ashford may choose to adjourn the sitting before a second vote is taken. 

If still no candidate can achieve a majority in the Keys then the process can be opened up for fresh nominations.

Any new nominee must publish a policy statement and members would have one hour to read it before the sitting resumes. 

At the resumed sitting, the same Q&A procedure is followed for any newly nominated candidate. However, it is not repeated for candidates who were already nominated before the adjournment.

If MHKs still cannot agree, the sitting can be adjourned to the next day. 

There is a precedent for this in recent times. In December 2006, back when elections were held in November, Steve Rodan, David Cannan and John Shimmin were competing for the top job. 

At the time the whole of Tynwald was involved, with the Legislative Council also having a vote. 

After several rounds failed to deliver a winner, President of Tynwald Noel Cringle called for new nominations and when members next met, only one member was nominated, with Speaker Tony Brown seizing the crown.

You can watch Manx Radio’s chief minister debate with Mrs Jenkins and Mr Thomas here or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

You will be able to listen live to Tuesday’s sitting on Manx Radio from 10am.