Manx politician Leonard Singer passes away

Mr Singer had an extensive political history

Leonard Singer has died at the age of 80, following a long illness.

As a Manx politician, Mr Singer was synonymous with Ramsey, but he was born in Manchester in the United Kingdom.

He cut his teeth in Stockport as a councillor from 1973 until 1986 before moving to the Isle of Man.

He came to the Island in 1989 and set up a pharmacy.

It wasn't long before local political issues called, and he became a commissioner in 1991.

In 1996, he turned to national Manx politics, gaining a seat in Ramsey alongside Allan Bell in the House of Keys - he was re-elected in 2001.

Two years later he was elevated to the Legislative Council, but three years afterwards, the issue of 24-hours a day coverage at Ramsey Cottage Hospital drew him back to the Keys hustings subsequently leaving LegCo.

He failed to win that seat in Ramsey, and in 2008, returned to the Commissioners.

In 2011, he stood and was elected to one of the two Keys seats in Ramsey, ousting then-Treasury Minister Anne Craine.

A year later, he was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Keys for four years but lost his seat at the next General Election but stood again in 2021 - the proposed Ramsey Marina being one of the key issues he majored on.

He lost the election and returned to the Commissioners where he'd been Chair in 1995 and 1996.

Leonard Singer was a prominent member of the local Jewish community, and an active player in promoting the staging of music events in Ramsey.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has paid tribute, calling him a 'committed' politician who cared 'deeply' for his constituents.

Meanwhile, Ramsey Commissioners has described him as an 'enthusiastic and dedicated member of the board'.