Rodan confirms candidacy in Garff

Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan says he will be defending his seat in the general election in September.

He has represented Garff for the past 16 years and was elected speaker in 2006, after an unsuccessful attempt to become chief minister.

He had previous been minister for education, and minister for health and social security.

Among other things, Mr Rodan is currently chairman of the Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust and the Laxey Regeneration Committee.

He is also president of the area's Royal British Legion branch.

In the 2006 general election he polled 1400 votes, comfortably beating his only opponent, who received 542.

Mr Rodan is the first person to inform Manx Radio of his intention to stand in Garff.