A Douglas man says he’s surprised but pleased that his petition for redress of grievance may now be discussed by Tynwald, almost five years after he handed it in.

David Buttery presented his petition in July 2009, calling for the rates system to be scrapped and replaced with fairer ways of paying for local services.

West Douglas MHK Chris Thomas says he’ll now pick up the document after the recent political row over the toilet tax exposed a need for rates reform.

Mr Buttery says he’s been convinced for years that the rates are anachronistic and unfit for purpose:
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