THE two contenders in the race to become the Island's next Chief Minister have published supporting statements to detail why they think they are up the job.
Ramsey MHK Allan Bell and Onchan MHK, and leader of the Liberal Vannin Party, Peter Karran have both put their names forward for the position.
The decision on who will take the role of Chief Minister – taking over from Tony Brown – will be decided by the Members of the House of Keys on Tuesday.
In the supporting statements both men detail why they think they are a suitable candidate for the job and what they would do for the Island if elected.
Peter Karran said: "As Chief Minister I will work with members of Tynwald who will work with me to achieve the caring and prosperous society that our Island deserves. I will build alliances and revitalise politics but if I cannot convert adversaries into partners I will stand up to them.
"As your Chief Minister I will expect my government to focus on sound fiscal responsibility and international affairs. My government will work with the private sector to sustain growth and maintain confidence and investment despite the current constraints on government finances. We will encourage our people to become minority participants in financing the infrastructure of our strategic lifelines where appropriate.
"We are an island but we are not immune from outside influence and inspection. It is of prime importance that your Chief Minister has an unblemished political career. Any outside body can inspect my political career and they will find nothing that could be of detriment to the Island’s reputation."
Mr Karran said he would pursue openness and transparency in government and that he had already set out his programme for government in his General Election manifesto to demonstrate his "honesty and openness to the electorate".
Allan Bell has stated that he believes the Island should endorse the principles of the strategy document The Development of a Prosperous and Caring Society and build an updated range of options for the next 20 years. He also thinks it is important to revisit the Report on the Scope and Structure of Government document.
He said: "Without question our twin top priorities have to be the rebalancing of government finances in the wake of the VAT changes and the stimulation of further economic growth and diversification to provide new revenue streams for government and jobs for our people.
"However we must not allow our pursuit of these vital goals to blind us to the need to maintain our social cohesion and quality of life. The next government must provide the leadership and openness needed to promote a fully inclusive, compassionate and above all fair society if we are to succeed."
Mr Bell said he believed his extensive government experience would help him in the role and added that it was important for the Isle of Man not to become "downhearted".
He said: "Since 2008 global events have changed our world and as these events continue to unfold and economic storm clouds gather they ensure that the next five years will be the most challenging period that we have faced for a generation - both for Tynwald and also the Island.
"In the early eighties we also faced very difficult economic times and by working together and developing long term strategies, both social and economic, ultimately we succeeded in developing one of the most successful economies in Europe."
If Allan Bell or Peter Karran fail to gain a majority vote in Tynwald on Tuesday then other candidates will be able to put their names forward for the role at a second round of voting.
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