THERE’S less than a fortnight left for the life of the current House of Keys which will be dissolved on August 18th.
The 24 members will have to clear their desks and pigeon-holes in government office before that date, leaving the corridors relatively empty for five weeks until the election results are in.
However, for MHKs who also have Ministerial roles, their working life will not alter until after the General Election. Although parliament is officially in summer recess, the duties of Ministers - although much less arduous than normal - still have to be maintained.
Consequently, it means that there’s a bit more pressure on the nine Ministers to find time to spend on the door-to-door General Election campaign trail. All the Ministers are facing a challenge for their seats in September.
MHKs who have Ministerial roles are David Cretney (South Douglas), John Shimmin (West Douglas), Martyn Quayle (Middle), David Anderson (Glenfaba), Adrian Earnshaw (Onchan), Allan Bell (Ramsey), Phil Gawne (Rushen), Eddie Teare (Ayre) and Anne Craine (Ramsey).
There can be some bonuses, however, as Ministers can often find their names and faces in the local media as they conduct Department business in the seven weeks before election day.
For two MHKs, however, August 18th really is the final day to clear his desk in the Tynwald Precinct in Government Office. Chief Minister Tony Brown is not seeking re-election in Castletown after 30 years as the town’s MHK.
And in Michael David Cannan is also standing down, with his son Alf seeking to replace him in Michael. But it doesn’t mean the outspoken Mr Cannan will remain too quiet for long! Both father and son have already been seen together on the campaign trail speaking to voters.
Newly elected Members of the House of Keys will be sworn in on Tuesday October 4 at 11.30am and at 2.30pm the Speaker will be elected by the House of Keys and any other business conducted.
The President Clare Christian will summon Tynwald Court to elect a new Chief Minister on Tuesday October 11 at 10.30am.
