Malarkey recaptures Keys seat

Bill Malarkey tops the polls at the South Douglas by election

By elections in two House of Keys constituencies have seen a return to the national political stage for one of the victors - and the start of a new career in public life for the other. 

Four years after being ousted from his South Douglas seat, Bill Malarkey topped the polls last night, with 598 votes.

That was comfortably ahead of second-placed Keith Fitton standing on a Lib Van ticket, who polled 502.

Grassroots activist Amy Burns came third, with Kurt Buchholz finishing in fourth place.

Just over 40 per cent of the electorate cast a vote.

Mr Malarkey was subsequently elected to Douglas council, but made no secret of his ambition to re enter the Keys.

He told us it's good to be back.