Establishment figure addresses nationalists

CoMin member to orate at Hango Hill

A government minister will be the guest speaker at a ceremony revered by Manx nationalists on Monday (2 Jan).

Policy and Reform boss Chris Thomas will give the English oration at the Illiam Dhone commemoration in Castletown. 

The event is held each year at Hango Hill near the scene of Dhone's execution by firing squad for treason, in 1663.

Illiam Dhone is regarded as a martyr and patriot by nationalists, for negotiating the Island's surrender to parliamentary forces during the English Civil War. 

Nationalists are to gather at the coastal spot at 2pm, when Mark Kermode of organisers Mec Vannin will give the oration in Manx.

The invitation to a CoMin member to speak may set a new tone, with criticism of government policy a recurring theme in speeches over recent years.