Ramsey to be Carved up in Boundary Reshuffle

The island’s electoral commission has recommended cutting out chunks of Ramsey and moving one of them into different constituencies.

If approved by Tynwald, the boundaries of Glenfaba & Peel, Middle, Ramsey, and either Ayre & Michael or Garff  would be altered for the next general election in 2026.

Since the 2016 General Election the Isle of Man has had twelve constituencies for the House of Keys, each with approximately the same population and each returning two MHKs following a general election.

Local authority are unaffected by these proposed changes, leaving the potential for Ramsey residents to be in the same boat as parts of Onchan where they are represented by the district local authority and Garff’s MHKs.

Chair of the Electoral Commission, Sally Bolton, said: ‘Our aim with these proposals is to ensure that constituencies are equal, and reflect the evolving population and development patterns of our Island. We are doing this to ensure in the future we each continue to have the same voting power.’

‘On behalf of the Commission I would also like to express my gratitude to all those who actively participated in our consultation earlier this year, including valued contributions from MHKs, local authorities, and the wider community.

One of the proposals would see homes on Ballure Road, Queen’s Valley, Ballure Grove, Stanley Mount East and West, Walpole Drive, Close and Road, as well as The Sycamores, moved into Garff.

This would also result in the Queen’s Pier being moved into Garff.

Option two is for Thronhill Park, Marlborough Cresent, Marlborough Way, most of Clifton Drive, Gibbs Grove and Park, Romney Wynd, Westhill Village, Close Oard and Reayrt Ny Sleityn to move into Ayre and Michael.

Middle

Meanwhile, Glenfaba and Peel also could be set to shrink with Greeba joining Middle, wiht Lhoobs Road and Ballavagher Road effective acting as the new boundary. Foxdale will be unaffected.

The proposed options for the boundary changes are available for review at https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/government/isle-of-man-electoral-commission.

The Electoral Commission encourages those likely to be impacted to share their views either directly or through elected representatives. The dedicated email is electoralcommission@gov.im, call 685201 or write to FAO: Alana Arculus, c/o Electoral Commission Coordinator, Third Floor, Government Buildings, Douglas IM1 3PN.

The Electoral Commission will report to Tynwald by March 2024 on its boundary recommendations and other electoral matters.