THE Island's new Chief Minister Allan Bell has said he hopes he can live up to people's expectations.
The Ramsey MHK was elected at a special sitting of Tynwald this morning (Tuesday) after securing 29 votes in his favour.
His opponent Peter Karran, Onchan MHK and leader of the Liberal Vannin Party, received three votes.
Speaking after his election Mr Bell said:"It's obviously been a very important day for the Isle of Man and a Red Letter Day for me personally.
"It is an interesting time, an interesting challenge and I just hope I can live up to everyone's expectations.
"It is a great honour and privilege to be elected by such a large majority by my peers in Tynwald especially at such a difficult time with the challenges which are facing the Island.
"It is vitally important now to give leadership to the Island and to Tynwald – to bring it together and heal the divisions which clearly have existed over the last few years - and to get Tynwald working together for the good of the Island and putting aside our various differences that we've had in the past.
"This I believe is a demand from the people - it is certainly what I have found on the doorstep during the election campaign. They want to see a united government working together, supporting each other and supporting the Island and are very intolerant of the in-fighting that is taking place. I think they would be very critical if Tynwald descended into that behaviour again."
This morning's election saw unprecedented scenes in Tynwald with Peter Karran threatening to withdraw from standing over an argument about free speech.
It was after Mr Karran's proposer and seconder, Kate Beecroft and Zac Hall respectively, both came under fire from the President of Tynwald for their conduct when putting Mr Karran's name forward.
Mrs Beecroft, a South Douglas MHK and fellow member of the Liberal Vannin Party, was told to stay on track after seemingly arguing the case against Allan Bell and not the case for Peter Karran.
Mr Hall, an Onchan MHK and member of the Liberal Vannin party, was told to retake his seat and "refine his comments" after raising concerns over what he called a "virtual airline".
Speaking about the proceedings Mr Bell said he hoped the whole of Tynwald could move forward. He explained: "As Chief Minister I intend to operate an inclusive form of government which will embrace all views and opinions to try and deliver the changes we need.
"My door is open to everyone in Tynwald including the Liberal Vannin members and Mr Karran. I hope that they will in fact put this morning to one side and join with me in helping to move the Island forward.
"The nomination contest is obviously a very political event and words get spoken at such events which perhaps may not be appropriate in other circumstances. But I very much hope that we can move on from this morning and build a good working relationship between all the different players."
Mr Bell has been a Tynwald Member for 27 years. He is the Island's fifth Chief Minister and takes over from Tony Brown who has retired from politics.
Check back to isleofman.com tomorrow for more from Allan Bell.
Also see: Unprecedented scenes in Tynwald during Chief Minister election
