Thomas administration to publish 'Government Programme' next month

Island's politicians vote to set out priorities for next five years

A motion which will see Chris Thomas' administration publish a 'Government Programme' has been approved at the first sitting of Tynwald.

The Ard-Shirveishagh's council of ministers will be called upon to produce the document by the end of November.

It will outline the 'current challenges and opportunities that face the Island' and present a 'prioritised policy agenda, action plan and legislative programme to address them'.

The plan is for 'annual reviews and revisions' to be laid for debate and approval each October thereafter.

"That Tynwald is of the opinion that the Council of Ministers should publish, by the end of November, a government document for debate in Tynwald which sets out a) the current challenges and opportunities that face the Island and b) a prioritised policy agenda, action plan and legislative programme to address them; with annual reviews and revisions being laid for debate and approval each October thereafter." - Mr Thomas' motion

After a short question paper of just three, all tabled by Douglas North MHK - and new Speaker of the House of Keys - David Ashford, the motion was laid before Tynwald by the chief minister this morning (20 October).

Mr Ashford said it was an 'interesting example of how quickly political circumstances can change' on the Island, as Mr Thomas had submitted it before becoming chief minister:

In addressing the court, Mr Thomas made it abundantly clear - if not saying it explicitly - that this wouldn't be another 'Island Plan' à la the last five years:

Several members rose to give their views including new (and returning) ministers.

Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian praised Mr Thomas for encouraging his council to actively engage with the debate, and all those thereafter:

If the described document for debate arrives by 30 November it would miss the four-week Register of Business deadline for December's Tynwald sitting, and therefore such a debate may not take place until January.