Tony Brown, Member of the House of Keys for Castletown, and the Islands Chief Minister, has today announced that he will not be seeking re-election as the MHK for Castletown at the September General Election. Tony Brown’s political career spans 35 years, he has served as the towns MHK for the past 30 years during which period he was on two occasions been returned unopposed. He first entered politics in 1976, at the age of 26, when he was elected to the Castletown Town Commissioner where he served as a member until November 1981 when he was elected to the House of Keys. Mr Brown said “After much thought I have decided to not to stand for the House of Keys at the forthcoming General Election. I have been extremely honoured and it has been a real privilege for me to have served Castletown and its community for the past 35 years, first as a Commissioner and then as the Member of the House of Keys for Castletown, a position I have held for 30 years. When I first became the MHK for Castletown in 1981 I never envisaged that I would be fortunate enough to be able to continue to serve the people of Castletown and the Island for such an extensive period,” he continued “I have enjoyed an active, exciting, meaningful and fulfilling period serving Castletown and the Island. I have been most fortunate to hold senior Government positions for 20 years, culminating in holding the position of Chief Minister for the past 5 years, with immediately prior to that period I was very honoured to have been elected Speaker of the House of Keys in 2001, and again in 2006. During my time in office I fully committed myself my the role and responsibilities of the posts I have held, and in playing an active and positive role within Tynwald, the Keys and Government, as well as within the community of Castletown I believe I have very much influenced how the Island, and Castletown in particular, has developed, from a period when Castletown was struggling with much dereliction within the town centre, and when the Island had very limited income and struggled to sustain its then limited public services and when unemployment was very high with individual incomes being low, to a period today where as a nation and as individuals we are relatively wealthy and the quality of life on the Island has improved exponentially. During the period I have been an MHK the Government has improved and developed much needed public services, built up substantial reserves, substantially improved the Islands infrastructure, and diversified the economy creating great employment opportunities, to a position where we now have more people in work than ever in our history. We have very low unemployment, incomes have risen and opportunities have improved significantly and I am very optimistic about the Islands future. I am very proud to have played a part in supporting such advancements that have without doubt benefitted the people of our Island.” Mr Brown says “as a political representative of Castletown and the Island I have always endeavoured to be accessible, approachable and open with people; I have always helped, supported and taken a keen interest in people and organisations. I have always endeavoured to act impartially, and I believe most importantly, I have acted with integrity when dealing with anyone and with issues. I have always seen protecting people’s rights and freedoms as the foundation of my responsibilities, as I have always believed it to be fundamental to that of being an elected representative of the people.” Tony Brown was first elected to the House of Keys at the November 1981 General Election after serving five years as a Castletown Town Commissioners from 1976, being Chairman of the Commissioners during 1980/1981. During his first term as a Member of the House of Keys he was elected to be Chairman of the Government Property Trustees (a Board of Tynwald) as well as being a member of a number of other Boards; during his second term he was appointed the first Minister for the Department of Health and Social Security in December 1986 when the Ministerial system of Government was first introduced, he subsequently has held four other senior Ministerial posts. After the 2001 General Election he was elected by the House of Keys to be Speaker, he was subsequently re-elected Speaker after the 2006 General Election however, after being approached by Members of Tynwald he resigned as Speaker to enable him to be nominated as the Islands Chief Minister, a post he has held since December 2006. Tony Brown says “As the MHK for Castletown my role has exceeded my expectations; I have enjoyed making a difference, helping people where I could, and being able to influence either directly or indirectly policies that have benefitted Castletown and the Island, and improved the quality of life for many people as well as providing many new wonderful opportunities. I have also enjoyed representing the Island overseas on many occasions, especially as Chief Minister; it has indeed been a wonderful experience and a personal honour for me. I have also had the opportunity to lead and work with a wonderful and committed Ministerial team who have over the past five years taken the Island forward through some challenging and difficult times, whilst at the same time continuing to plan and invest, and to put in place policies to create opportunities and to help secure the Islands future.” Mr Brown continued “I would sincerely thank everyone who has supported me and given me their trust over the past 35 years, whilst I have served as an elected representative of the people of Castletown, a trust I have not taken lightly. I would especially thank my wife Rachel along with my children, Kate and Graeme for their unstinting support, their patience and understanding, and also the wider family - it has indeed been a great honour and pleasure for me to serve and undertake my responsibilities with such wonderful consistent support over the last three decades, from family, friends and constituents.” He continued “I would also wish to pay tribute to the many dedicated officers of Government and Tynwald who have assisted and supported me in my work as an elected member for the past 30 years.” Finally, Mr Brown concluded, “Whilst I will very much miss being involved in politics and with people, which has been very much part of my life over the last 35 years, I look forward to enjoying more free time, especially with my family and friends. I intend to continue with my involvement within the community of Castletown.” ENDS