A Manxman with 40 years public service has announced his candidature in September’s General Election.

Retired fire officer John Skinner will stand in West Douglas where he was born and has spent all his life.

A member of the Island’s fire and rescue service for 30 years, Mr Skinner has been a member of the Island’s planning committee for the past nine years and also had a three year spell on the Health Services Consultative Committee.

Married with two grown-up children and two step-daughters, he believes there should be greater openness from government with more information so the public know the reasons behind decisions which can affect the whole population.

Talking to people in West Douglas, Mr Skinner says they’re concerned about the Island’s economy and its effect on themselves and core services.

And he insists education and health have to be the cornerstone of any government and that the Island can’t afford to reduce the services in those areas.