Candidate criticises government's priorities

A well-known trade unionist is to stand in Onchan in September's House of Keys general election.

James Corrin, who lives in Heywood Park, is a former chairman of the Transport and General Workers' Union and a former secretary of the Isle of Man Trades Council.

Now retired, the 56-year-old says he is unhappy with the Manx government's priorities, severely criticising the decision to spend £1.8 million on preserving Ramsey's Queen's Pier, which he calls 'a piece of junk', when it won't appoint a dedicated breast care consultant or fund a specialist drug for a cancer victim.

Mr Corrin claims some MHKs vote with the Council of Ministers because they receive extra money as department members, and believes they should get a flat rate salary with no expenses.

Mr Corrin says if he was elected he would dedicate his time to the people of Onchan and 'fight without fear or favour against injustices'.

He is the fifth candidate to declare in Onchan, the others being sitting members Peter Karran and David Quirk, and local commissioners Brian Stowell and June Kelly.

Onchan is a three-seat constituency, and the third current member is Adian Earnshaw.