Isle of Man House of Keys Election 2026

Joney Faragher

Candidate for Douglas East

Devon Watson

Candidate for Douglas Central

Sarah Maltby

Candidate for Douglas South

Peter Washington

Candidate for Douglas North

Joney Faragher

Candidate for Douglas East

PDF Link to Joney's Manifesto

There is still much to do. We need a health service that people can rely on, more affordable homes, stronger support for children and families, an economy that works for everyone, and a government that plans for the long term rather than simply reacting to the crisis of the day.

I remain as committed today as I was when I first stood for election: to working hard, listening carefully and standing up for Douglas East and our wonderful Ellan Vannin. It would be an honour to continue serving our community, and I hope I can count on your support once again.

Gura mie mooar ayd / thank you so much.

Joney Faragher

Douglas East: Issues & Solutions

Firstly I would like to thank you for your vote in 2021, and I hope that I can continue to serve as your elected representative for the next five years. I am committed to being accessible and approachable by the local community, and to working hard to represent the things that matter to you.

Reviewing & Learning from the past…

Since you elected me, I have:

• Helped hundreds of residents with everything from everyday local concerns to complex cases involving housing, healthcare and government departments.

• Held constituency drop-ins, including issue-specific ones such as the unresolved parking issues around Nobles Park; accessibility via presumed Rights of Way across the constituency; the opening of vital walkways following construction works, and the Family Library.

• Secured a plan for the long-vacant Park Road site. You can view this plan online by clicking here (PDF).

• Supported the Manx Family Centre to continue to provide their wonderful services in Douglas.

• Undertaken ‘keep-in-touch’ visits, selecting several streets each summer and trying to speak with as many of you as possible to more deeply understand your concerns.

Looking to the future...

Roads & Infrastructure:

During my time as your MHK I’ve listened carefully to you, and fully understand your frustrations about the lack of repair for roads and pavements across Douglas. I’ve also heard from people with more limited movement explain how the lack of dropped kerbs and uneven pavement surfaces impacts them.

Should you choose me to represent you again this year, I will request a full review of the prioritisation of road and pavement repairs, so I can understand why our capital city appears to be less of a priority for these vital works despite being much more highly utilised than elsewhere on the island. I will also support the Department of Infrastructure to resolve issues around the disposal of coal tar, which seems to be one of the main obstacles to repair for many of your representations to me regarding the state of roads.

Douglas East Regeneration:

I completely appreciate people’s concerns about the way that Douglas looks at present, and I plan to take action to remedy this. In the first instance, I will renew my calls for tougher action on vacant properties and sites across Douglas, in order to address the sheer amount of dilapidation, and from there I can work to facilitate its regeneration toward becoming the attractive city we all want it to be. I aim to unite both local and central government to address the issues around what many of you have described as the ‘shabbiness’ or ‘run-down’ feeling. Douglas is a wonderful city with huge potential; it is our island’s capital and should be a proud showcase for us.

Housing & Our Children's Futures:

Many of you have highlighted your concerns to me regarding the lack of available and affordable housing in Douglas East and the wider Island, and the impact this has upon our children returning to the Island after finishing their university studies. This is an extremely valid concern and one which I have devoted a section to further on in this manifesto.

Co’ayrn Veen / Dear Constituent

Five years ago, I asked for your support because I believed our island could be fairer, healthier and more ambitious. I wanted to help build an island where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, where public services are there when we need them, and where government listens, plans for the future and puts people first.

It’s been an enormous privilege to serve as your MHK for Douglas East. During that time, I’ve met hundreds of residents, helped many people with individual problems and had the opportunity to bring forward legislation, motions and campaigns on issues that matter deeply to our community. Some have led to real change. Others are still unfinished. That’s the nature of public service, and it’s one of the reasons I’m standing again.

This hasn’t been an easy parliamentary term. Families have faced rising living costs, many people have struggled to access timely healthcare, housing has become increasingly unaffordable, and too many residents have felt frustrated by the pace of change. I understand those frustrations. I’ve shared many of them.

What I’ve learned over the past five years is that lasting change rarely comes from headlines or grand promises. It comes from persistence: asking difficult questions, scrutinising decisions, listening carefully to people, and continuing to make the case for change even when it would be easier to give up.

Throughout this term, I’ve tried to be an accessible and hardworking representative. Whether helping residents navigate government departments, speaking up in Tynwald, or working across political boundaries to improve legislation, my focus has always been on delivering practical improvements that make a real difference to people’s lives.

Many of the priorities I set out in my 2021 manifesto have shaped the work I’ve undertaken since being elected.

In the pages that follow, you’ll see how those commitments became motions, legislation, campaigns and constituency work. You’ll also see the challenges that remain and the priorities I believe should define the next five years.

It’s been great to have my fellow Manx Labour MHK to work alongside in Tynwald. Working together, getting things done

Promises. Progress. Perseverance.

In 2021 I set out the values and priorities that I believed mattered most for Douglas East and for the Isle of Man. Over the past five years I've worked hard to turn those priorities into action. Some have become legislation, some have secured changes in government policy, and others remain work in progress.

Over the last 5 years, one lesson has become clearer than any other: many of the challenges facing our Island are connected. I have illustrated this in this diagram which I feel is a clear overview of the issues we are currently facing.

The dilemma posed by our young people leaving the island to live and work elsewhere creates a problem that is cyclical in nature, has a knock-on effect in many other areas, and exacerbates the very issues that cause young people to leave in the first place. The path we must take in order to begin tackling this is clear and begins with addressing the issue of affordable housing and providing robust economic and educational conditions for our younger people and wider workforce. Should we achieve this, then the outcome will be a cycle of positivity that self-reinforces and creates conditions that will only make it easier in future.

Now is the time for us to undertake this task.

I am strongly committed to a robust and creative policy agenda that will help make this solution a reality, both for the people of my constituency and the Isle of Man in general. Across the following sections I will outline my main areas of focus, what has been achieved so far, what I’ve learned over the past five years, and should you choose to elect me, the further work I will undertake to continue down the path of progress.

My availability and accessibility

I have heard people say that they would like their MHKs to be more visible and accessible. I commit to increasing my visibility within the constituency through more regular drop-ins and visits, as well as improving communication with constituents through a monthly email update for those who wish to receive one, and an annual newsletter.

I want people to feel that their MHK is accessible, engaged and visible in the community, not just at election time.

Image: from local media; supporting the Family Library, now the Manx Family Centre

Health and Wellbeing

Work I’ve done:

• Led calls for an all-age ADHD & autism pathway - Following my motion to Tynwald, DHSC has produced a pathway and implementation timetable. My focus now is ensuring delivery and holding Government to account.

• Oversaw the development and rollout of the Autism Strategy

• Helped lead the rollout of the Carer’s Strategy within DHSC

• Campaigned to reduce waiting lists - The Restoration & Recovery Programme delivered improvements, but Phase 3 has not been progressed and lists have been allowed to grow again when Manx Care stopped elective surgeries over winter. Too many people are still waiting far too long for appointments and treatment.

• Campaigned to protect accessible NHS services - opposing the drift towards people having to go private

• Suicide prevention work, as a member of the Suicide Prevention Steering Group - The Suicide Prevention Strategy was published, but implementation has been inconsistent. Key commitments, including a Suspected Suicide Rapid Response Team, have yet to be delivered.

What I've learnt:

Our health service doesn’t lack dedicated, hardworking staff. What it lacks is long-term planning, timely investment and the ability to deliver change consistently. Good ideas have too often stalled before reaching patients, and too many people are still waiting far too long for appointments and treatment. We need to move beyond short-term recovery plans and focus on building a health service that is sustainable, accessible and centred on patients.

For too long, mental health has been treated as secondary to physical health, and I have championed investment in mental health, suicide prevention and post-vention, wellbeing and addiction support

My priorities:

• Complete delivery of the all-age ADHD & autism pathway.

• Restart the Restoration & Recovery Programme to get a grip on waiting lists, this time incorporating the requirement to maintain lower levels on waiting lists across all specialities.

• Invest in evidence-based mental health services

• Keep healthcare based on need, not ability to pay.

• Deliver the commitments in the Suicide Prevention Strategy.

• Support carers and strengthen community-based care.

Nursing and residential care

Nursing and residential care is a vital part of our health and social care system. Yet too many people face the prospect of losing their financial security, and potentially even their home, to pay for essential care - often at a time when they and their families are at their most vulnerable.

When I was a political member for DHSC, I was part of the team that pushed for reform to become a political priority and for proposals to go to public consultation. That consultation showed clear public support for change and for a fairer system that protects the savings people have built over a lifetime and the legacy they hope to leave to their families.

In the latter half of this administration, progress has been far too slow.

I want to see fair thresholds for care costs, a lifetime limit on what people can be expected to pay, and proper protection for family homes from unlimited care fees.

After years of delay, this must now become a priority: a fair, sustainable system that gives people security when they need care, rather than asking them to risk everything they have spent a lifetime building.

Housing

Work I’ve done:

• Brought Private Members' motions to Tynwald calling for stronger government action on empty & dilapidated houses - blocked by the Council of Ministers but valuable debates held. I would like to continue this work.

• Pushed for improved First Time Buyers’ schemes

• Supported a brownfield-first approach to development

• Poverty Committee work - The Poverty Committee wrote a full report on Housing to Tynwald with 32 evidence-based recommendations. This work can still be a basis for solving this crisis

What I've learnt:

There is no single solution to our housing crisis. The Objective Assessment of Housing Need (OAHN) is a good piece of work and gives us a strong basis for addressing the crisis, rooted in local facts and data. But the fact that the OAHN is effectively the only significant step this administration has taken to address the housing crisis is inexcusable.

We must move at pace to deliver affordable and social housing, with clear and binding targets for delivery. Building more homes must also mean building the right homes, in the right places, with the right infrastructure, while bringing existing vacant properties back into use - particularly across our capital city.

Affordable housing isn't just about first-time buyers. It affects young families, key workers, older residents looking to downsize and people relying on the private rented sector.

The next administration must stop measuring the scale of the problem and start delivering the homes our Island needs.

My priorities:

• Increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes – this could be delivered partially by the next point

• Task Treasury to both improve and utilise commuted sums to deliver homes for the Manx community

• Strengthen support for first-time buyers.

• Prioritise brownfield development.

• Introduce measures to bring long-term derelict properties and sites back into use

• Improve protections for tenants.

• Ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development.

Children and Education

I have loved being asked to talk at local schools. My background is in teaching and working with charitable organisations in primary schools.

Work I’ve done:

• Secured a review of GCSE and A-Level provision at UCM

• Supported expanding pre-school credit provision - brought by the Population Rebalancing Committee

• Secured publication of the Inclusive Education Framework following a Tynwald motion - commenced but not complete. Needs ongoing scrutiny.

• Campaigned to reduce the cost of school uniforms for families. I would value the opportunity to continue to find solutions.

What I've learnt:

My background in primary education and in working with children and families has shown me that children thrive when we invest early. Teachers, youth workers and support staff have my deep respect. They are often the first to identify when a child or family needs additional support, yet our current system doesn’t always provide the help they need. Supporting families during the early years, providing inclusive education and giving young people a wider range of opportunities benefits not only individual children, but our whole community.

My priorities:

• Complete implementation of the Inclusive Education Framework.

• Strengthen pathways for apprenticeships

• Expand pre-school support.

• Strengthen vocational and technical education.

• Review GCSE and A-Level provision through UCM.

• Improve evidence-based support for children with additional needs.

• Close the attainment gap between children from low-income families and their peers.

Family-friendly policy

Supporting families is central to my work.

I opposed changes to Employed Person’s Allowance that I believed would disadvantage children in single-parent families, as well as changes affecting families with self-employed parents. Drawing on my experience of working with bereaved families, I also campaigned for Bereavement Support payments to be extended to families with unmarried parents - a long-overdue change.

I’m pleased that this administration has brought forward significant changes to parental leave, providing greater flexibility and support for working families, alongside much-needed modernisation of leave for parents experiencing the loss of a child, including through stillbirth and miscarriage.

I have worked alongside children and families for most of my working life. That experience has shaped how I approach policy: recognising that behind every policy decision are real families, often dealing with circumstances that can be incredibly difficult, and ensuring that compassion and practical support are at the heart of how Government responds.

Me and my two youngest sons, Autumn 2021 when I was first elected

Transport & Infrastructure

Work I’ve done:

• Led calls for bus facilities in Douglas via multiple motions to Tynwald, which were supported.

• Championed brownfield-first development Worked on plans for bus facilities within the DOI after being appointed as political member

• Supported the work of the Footpaths Select Committee in securing further funding for Public Right of Ways (PROWs)

• Helped put a business case to Treasury to complete the Douglas Bay Horse Tramways

• Called for fare-free travel for school children via the Poverty Committee

Jurby Transport Museum,celebrating 50 years since the nationalisation of our bus service and the unveiling of the Manx tartan livery - look out for it on our roads soon!

What I've learnt:

Good transport is about more than getting from A to B. It connects people to work, education, healthcare and each other. Over the past five years, I’ve also seen the importance of investing in our heritage transport network, not only because it’s part of our identity, but because it contributes to our economy and attracts visitors from around the world. The 2024 SYSTRA report found that every £1 of subvention and capital investment in our heritage railways generates £2.88 in benefits to the Manx economy.

Infrastructure projects are a sensitive issue, and there is a strong public perception that Government hasn’t always negotiated effectively or secured value for money. We need to rebuild public trust through greater

openness and transparency around costs, delays and contracting, including any changes to the scope of works and their impact on cost and timescales. Future development should make much greater use of brownfield land. I support the Island Infrastructure Scheme, which incentivises brownfield development, but we should also look at stronger measures to bring long-empty sites and dilapidated homes back into use. Prioritising brownfield development brings underused land back into productive use, regenerates our towns and makes better use of the infrastructure we already have.

My priorities:

• Prioritise road and pavement repairs across the island’s Capital City Deliver bus facilities in Douglas.

• Take a stronger approach to bring long-vacant sites and dilapidated homes into use

• Complete the horse tramway connection to the Sea Terminal.

• Improve reliability and accessibility across the public transport network.

Food and Energy Security

Food security has to become a long-term priority for the island. Buying local not only makes our economy stronger, it also inbuilds resilience and supports a more sustainable future for all of us.

Energy security is vital to our future. At present, our energy costs remain vulnerable to volatile global fossil fuel markets and international events over which we have little control. We need energy policy that is practical, responsible and led by what is right for the people of our island. Our current complete reliance upon fossil fuels unsustainable; as is knee-jerk politics that’s not rooted firmly in evidence and best practice.

Our energy policy should deliver secure and reliable supplies, keep energy costs affordable and predictable for households and businesses, safeguard our environment, and create the kind of diverse, sustainable jobs that give young people a reason to build their futures here.

I remain convinced that a second interconnector is needed to strengthen our energy security, although the latest cost estimates mean that delivering it is now further away than I would have hoped.

Any future development in this area must put the long-term interests of the Manx people first. That means ensuring that the Island is not exposed to unacceptable financial or operational risks, that the benefits to our local economy are meaningful, and that ownership, responsibilities and liabilities are transparent. It must also meet strong environmental standards, with proper protection for our marine environment and the wildlife that depends upon it.

Tackling Poverty

Work I’ve done:

• Introduced legislation to tackle period poverty – the Period Products Bill 2026 - My Bill is currently awaiting Royal Assent

• Served on the Poverty Committee, examining housing and child poverty with several successful recommendations to Tynwald

• Support for people to receive a Living Wage Secured a government review of free school bus travel - currently under review

What I've learnt:

Poverty affects every aspect of people's lives. It isn't simply about income. It influences health, educational attainment, housing security and future opportunity. Addressing poverty requires coordinated action across government, not isolated initiatives.

My priorities:

• Build on the work of the Poverty Committee.

• Continue tackling period poverty.

• Support the Living Wage.

• Reduce the cost pressures facing families.

• Ensure public transport remains affordable.

A Government That Works Better

Over the past five years it has become clear to me that there is a growing disconnect between Tynwald and the people of the Isle of Man. It is imperative that we re-build trust between government and the people it serves, and should I be elected this will be one of my core focuses in the years ahead.

Many of the frustrations people express are not about a lack of ambition, but about delivery. Governments are good at announcing strategies; they are less good at implementing them. My role has often been to keep asking what happened next. That scrutiny is just as important as creating new policies.

My priorities:

• Strengthen transparency and accountability through clearer communication, greater openness and better access to information.

• Strengthen scrutiny of government performance.

• Focus firmly on delivery post-strategy.

• Put evidence and long-term planning at the heart of decision-making.

Our Ellan Vannin: Manx culture

I love our wonderful Island, and I am immensely proud to have seen the renaissance of our Manx language, culture, and arts in recent years. We have an extraordinary creative community - from musicians, dancers, and performers to visual artists, craftspeople, and custodians of our unique heritage. These traditions are not just historical artifacts; they are a living, breathing part of our national identity and a vital driver of our local economy and tourism appeal.

Culture and the arts also play a crucial role in the health and vitality of our society. Creativity builds strong, connected communities and directly supports mental health and wellbeing. I believe we must formally integrate cultural and creative opportunities into our broader healthcare and community strategy, moving towards holistic models that recognise the power of participation in the arts to reduce isolation and improve quality of life.

Investing in our heritage and culture is an investment in our people, our youth, and our Island's distinct place in the world.

I was honoured to be nominated for the Londeyr ("Lantern") Award, and to be named joint winner in recognition of my work promoting the Manx language.

I would also support:

• The establishment of an independent police complaints process

• Sentencing Councils to review whether sentencing is appropriate to the crime

• The introduction of Sarah’s Law

• Further strengthening of Public Rights of Way funding for maintenance and enhancement

• The transition towards treating the use of illicit drugs as a public health issue, rather than a criminal issue

Thank you

Serving as your MHK has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Along the way, I’ve met so many people who make our Island special - families, young people, pensioners, volunteers, business owners, carers, teachers, professionals and community groups - whose ideas, concerns and determination have shaped the work I do every day.

One of the greatest surprises has been the kindness, encouragement and support of people I first met in 2021. I can’t adequately express how much your support has meant to me as I learnt the ropes as a new MHK and found my feet as your representative.

If I’m not re-elected in September, I hope we can continue to support one another, whatever form that may take. But for now, an absolutely heartfelt gura mie ayd, thank you.

PDF Link to Joney's Manifesto

Should you wish to contact Joney with any queries, please use the form below:

Sarah Maltby

Candidate for Douglas South

PDF Link to Sarah's Manifesto

Peter Washington

Candidate for Douglas North

PDF Link to Peter's Manifesto

About me:

I have lived on the island with my family for 26 years. Before moving over I worked for 21 years as a paramedic in the UK, and once here I worked as a Day Care Support Officer, helping adults with physical and learning difficulties. Throughout my working life I have been a trade union activist, in addition I am the Secretary of the Manx Labour Party.

I volunteered for over 20 years at Douglas RNLI, first as mechanic and then as Local Area Manager. I also helped present a Petition of Doleance to Tynwald, calling for improvements to support children with Dyslexia, a cause important to me, and I am proud to say that campaign resulted in a select committee being established, with 11 of its 12 recommendations being adopted.

I have worked hard over the past five years as a councillor for Douglas North to represent local residents. I am currently Chair of the Housing Committee, having lived in social housing for much of my time on the island it is important to me that everyone has access to accommodation that is safe, secure and feels like their home.

Housing Crisis:

The belief that if you work hard enough you will one day own your home is no longer achievable. In 2024 the average house price on the Island was approximately £350,000, this is simply unattainable to many young, working families. This is unsustainable, and will require Tynwald taking an active interest to get the island out of this crisis. Repeated governments have failed to introduce any workable first time buyers scheme suited for the island. I believe an increase in social housing will alleviate this issue, as it will allow people to rent affordably, and therefore save towards a deposit.

Tenants’ Rights:

All tenants should have long-term tenancy agreements, in line with the rest of the UK. All rented accommodation should have minimum standards which are enforceable by Tynwald. The lack of social housing, combined with unattainable house prices channelling people into rentals, is distorting the private rental market and leading to higher private rents. This financially affects young adults the most, as they disproportionately rent in the private sector. Too many young couples are trapped in a situation where childcare is too expensive but both parents are forced to work full time in order to pay the rent and face the higher cost of living. This is a factor contributing to the declining birth rate and net loss migration of young people in recent years.

Social housing tenancies are currently working against the very people they are supposed to help. Evicting tenants who, upon receiving a promotion or getting a better paid job, earn above the threshold creates a revolving door of poverty. Social housing tenants believe they are paying for a service, to turn their tenancies into a means tested benefit system is not fair on anyone.

Education:

The island has a history of lack of inclusion for neurodiverse children in the education system. All children should have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. If this means more resources allocated to education, this is a price worth paying for the Island’s future, in my opinion. This is a common theme amongst many other prospective MHKs standing in this election, and something that a new administration can work on together, to the benefit of our Island.

Health:

Social healthcare needs sorting out. Issues such as bed blocking are causing problems to direct healthcare services and then creating backlogs, all of which increases the pressure on our already struggling system. We as a society need to address having housing stock that is accessible and suitable for all our people, whatever stage of their lifecycle, and no matter the disabilities they may have.

It is increasingly common now to hear, week after week, of someone suffering from a mental health crisis, with no access to services they require. This is a double fold issue over here, as being on an island feelings of isolation and loneliness are more commonplace, and the services required to support those needing help are more limited. The police are more and more having to act as frontline mental health caregivers, which is not sustainable for their job of policing the Island or getting those who need it most the help and support structure they need.

Why Me:

People reading this might think I’m a one issue candidate, this is not the case. The issues facing our Island are both complicated and interconnected, the theme of housing runs throughout my manifesto because I believe it is one of the biggest challenges currently facing our island. By tackling our housing crisis a lot of other issues will be to some extent sorted. Taking someone out of sub-standard accommodation, where they worry about high rents or their short-term tenancy, and putting them in secure and affordable homes puts them on the right track to getting better mental or physical help. It could also give them a better space to focus on their education, or the ability to save up for a house.

If elected to the House of Keys this September I will first and foremost be your representative for Douglas North. I will ensure that your voice is heard in Tynwald, just as I have spent the past five years ensuring it is heard in Douglas Council. I will also use all my experience in the fields of health and social care, voluntary and community work, and as a councillor to ensure this administration works for the benefit of our Island community

PDF Link to Peter's Manifesto

Should you wish to contact Peter with any queries, please use the form below:

Devon Watson

Candidate for Douglas Central

PDF Link to Devon's manifesto