SPEAKER of the House of Keys Steve Rodan has announced that he intends to defend his Garff seat at the 2011 General Election.

Mr Rodan has previously served as Education Minister, Health and Social Security Minister, and was elected Speaker in 2006 following a failed attempt to stand as Chief Minister.

He has recently chaired numerous parliamentary Select Committees including investigations into Immigration, the Steam Packet Company, the MEA, as well as economic, planning and constitutional matters.

“It has been a privilege to represent the people of Laxey, Lonan and Maughold for the past 16 years, latterly as Speaker of the House of Keys,” he said.

“With the renewed support of the electors of Garff, I look forward to continuing my public service to them and the people of the Isle of Man. I have a superb election team, and we are now planning our election campaign”.

He represents the Isle of Man in the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, where he recently pressed for action to restore the Reciprocal Health Agreement with the UK, and to maintain the Common Travel Area.

In 2006 he was responsible for initiating the change to election law which reduced the Voting Age to 16.

He is Chairman of Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust, Laxey Fair Committee, and the new Laxey Regeneration Committee; and is President of Royal British Legion Lonan and Laxey Branch.

At the last election Steve Rodan won with 1400 votes to 542, in a two-cornered contest.