Ex-commissioner in Castletown wants Keys seat

A former Castletown commissioner who, earlier this year, described the role of the local authority as 'largely futile' is seeking election to the House of Keys.

Richard Ronan is the third candidate to declare in the single-seat southern constituency, which has been represented by current chief minister Tony Brown since 1981.

Mr Ronan says the path to his candidacy became 'inevitable' when he resigned from the commissioners in February, giving the erosion of power within local government on the Island as the reason.

He believes most of the issues of concern to the electorate come under the remit of central government, and aims to build on the seven years he spent as a commissioner as he bids to become the town's MHK.

Among other things, Mr Ronan says the Isle of Man's politicians must reprioritise the needs of their communities, and the range of changing issues they address.

The other people who have declared in Castletown so far are local commissioner Carol Quine and David Pownall.