Let’s Do the Tim Warp Again

Tim Crookall is back as DoI Minister!

Having moved to DfE in June 2022, before quitting CoMin in July 2022, the Glenfaba and Peel MHK is back at the top table.

Announcing his return, Chief Minister Alf Cannan, who sacked Chris Thomas earlier this summer, said: ‘Tim Crookall is a committed and experienced politician who has consistently stepped up to serve the Island when needed.

‘Tim fully understands that the Department of Infrastructure is undergoing an evolution and is committed to delivering the vision set out in Our Island Plan.  It will be good to have him back in the Council of Ministers.’

The return of Mr Crookall means this administration is onto its fourth change at the top with Mr Crookall being replaced by Mr Thomas, followed by the Chief in an interim role until today.

Speaking of his return, Mr Crookall said: ‘I am delighted to be asked to return to the Department of Infrastructure.  I fully recognise the pressures that the department is facing and the commitment to refocus its operations. I intend to bring any change proposals to the Council of Ministers as soon as possible and ensure we move the department forward with focus and purpose.

‘I look forward to re-joining a committed team at the DOI and working with them to deliver excellent services.’

With the expected breakup of the department, questions over housing, the future of the railways, the airport and everything else that the DoI is responsible for, Mr Crookall certainly won’t have much time to arrange his new office.

But, there is also this to consider, when he stepped down as DfE minister, Mr Cookall said he ‘reached the conclusion that I cannot continue to play an effective part in this Council of Ministers team’, which begs the question, what is different now?