The Chief Minister, long-serving Castletown MHK, Tony Brown, is to retire after 35 years in Manx politics.

After a career in public service spanning five decades, five as a commissioner and 30 as the town’s MHK, he says it’s the right time to step down.

Mr Brown, who began his political career with Castletown Commissioners in 1976 before being elected to the House of Keys in November 1981, says he’s reached a tough decision after much consideration.

He says he’s been ‘extremely honoured and privileged’ to have served Castletown and its community and that he never envisaged he would be fortunate enough to serve the people of the town and the Island for such an extensive period.

Mr Brown says he’s enjoyed an ‘active, exciting, meaningful and fulfilling’ period, holding senior government positions for 20 years, twice elected Speaker of the House of Keys before being elected Chief Minister – something he describes as a wonderful experience and a personal honour.

Mr Brown says during his time in office he’s fully committed himself to the role and responsibilities, playing an active and positive role within Tynwald, the Keys and Government, as well as within the community of Castletown.

He believes he’s influenced how the Island, and Castletown in particular, has developed, from a period when the town was struggling with much dereliction within the town centre, and when the Island had very limited income, high unemployment and struggled to sustain its then limited public services, to a period where as a nation and as individuals, it is relatively wealthy and the quality of life on the Island has improved exponentially – developing much needed public services, building up substantial reserves and substantially improving the Islands infrastructure.

Mr Brown says he’s very optimistic about the Island’s future and, in a statement, goes onto pay tribute to a wonderful and committed ministerial team who over the past five years have taken the Island forward through some challenging and difficult times, whilst continuing to plan and invest and put in place policies to create opportunities to help secure the Islands future.

He’s also paid tribute to the many dedicated officers of government and Tynwald who have supported him for the past 30 years.

Mr Brown concludes that ‘as a political representative he’s always endeavoured to be accessible, approachable and open with people and has always endeavoured to act impartially and with integrity.

He’s sincerely thanking everyone who has supported and given him their trust, a trust, he says, he has 'not taken lightly'.