Former Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has thanked both his constituents and members of the island’s business community following the appointment of Chris Thomas as the Isle of Man’s new Chief Minister.
In separate messages posted on Facebook and LinkedIn, Mr Cannan reflected on a decade serving in senior government roles, including as Treasury Minister and, more recently, Chief Minister.
Writing on Facebook, the Ayre and Michael MHK thanked voters for once again returning him to the House of Keys and said their continued support had enabled him to serve in both ministerial positions over the past ten years.
Mr Cannan said: “I am immensely grateful for that support and the courtesy which has been shown to me.”
He added that he now intends to focus on delivering the commitments set out in his election manifesto and working to improve the constituency while helping to ensure “the island continues to offer us all a secure home for the future.”
A Privilege
In a separate post on LinkedIn, Mr Cannan thanked those in the private sector who had supported and advised him throughout his time in office.
He paid particular tribute to members of the business community who worked with government during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping to develop economic and community support measures in the early stages of the crisis.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during his decade in government, Mr Cannan said it had been a privilege to work alongside “so many talented people” and expressed confidence that the island could overcome future difficulties.
He said jobs and employment opportunities remained central to the island’s long-term success, adding: “We can never stop working to support our economy.”
While no longer serving as Chief Minister, Mr Cannan indicated he intends to remain active in public life, saying he would continue to help and support where he could.
He concluded his message by thanking those who had supported him during his time in office and wishing the island’s business community every success for the future.
