Ex-Press Officer Calls For Major Shake-Up of Manx Politics

A former government press officer and journalist reckons it’s time for a rethink of how the Isle of Man is run.

Alistair Ramsay, who spent nearly five decades working in and around Manx politics, says the current system lacks real democratic legitimacy and needs an overhaul.

He argues that big national decisions – like buying the Steam Packet and aiming for a 100,000-strong population – are being made without the public ever getting a proper say.

Ramsay’s comments have been submitted to Tynwald’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee, which is currently reviewing how the island’s ministerial system is working.

He also raised concerns about what he calls ‘executive dominance’ – warning that Tynwald isn’t doing enough to properly scrutinise government decisions and that too many members are part of the departments they should be keeping an eye on.

Ramsay reckons it’s time Manx voters were treated ‘like adults’ and allowed a real say in the island’s future – whether that’s through parties, public election of the Chief Minister, or even turning the Isle of Man into one big constituency.

You can read Alistair’s full submission HERE.