10am: The House of Keys sitting at which Members will elect a new Chief Minister is underway.
Speaker David Ashford pays tribute to former Tynwald Member George Waft, after prayers.
Business will start, after prayers, with policy statements from candidates Chris Thomas and Kirrie Jenkins laid before the House.
10.05am
Kirrie Jenkins begins her opening statement.
Public “expects us to act in their interests”.
Need more than warm words, may need to challenge interests and question practices.
First priority would be to stabilise public finances.
Connectivity a “major concern”.
Support farmers and producers to recognise importance of food security.
Chief Minister’s role is to bring together different talents.
Calls for “more collegiate and consensual” approach but that does not remove room for disagreement.
Pledges to support whoever is Chief Minister, if she is not successful today. Courage needed for difficult decisions.
10.14am
Jenkins becomes emotional as she talks of what the Isle of Man means to her, before concluding.
10.15am
Thomas begins his statement, setting out his experience as politician.
Refers to comments made by supporters about working together.
“I have been listening to understand different viewpoints. We have been learning from each other.”
Talks of finding common ground to “lead a team of us” to address challenges.
“I can put together and lead a blended Council of Ministers” to lead to better Isle of Man.
Promises loyalty to those on his team, giving them credit where appropriate and taking responsibility for problems.
Talks about a prioritised public programme and ensuring “not a pound is wasted”.
Promises immediate, steady and accountable action to safeguard island’s future.
10.20
Questions to candidates now. First time this has happened during a Chief Minister election.
Eighteen tabled questions, three minutes for each to answer, no supplementary questions permitted.
Garff MHK Richard Henthorn up first asking for support of release of lease document held by DOI re the wind farm.
Long answer from Thomas, shorter from Jenkins.
10.25
First of a few questions about economic growth.
Both say it’s important, unsurprisingly.
Appenticeships into the mix, to support the skills sector.
10.31
Manx.News reporters distracted by new portrait of former Speaker Juan Watterson!
10.34
Questions about behaviour by Tynwald members. Both agree it needs to be better. But scrutiny and accountability should remain.
10.37
Jenkins says she would put a minister in charge of co-ordinating economic growth.
Thomas calls for refresh of relationships with airlines and Steam Packet. Open to idea of new minister.
10.41
Nursing home/residential care: no simple solution says Thomas and gov needs to use the information it has to come up with plan.
Fairer system will require government to meet greater proportion of cost, he says. His preference is sustainable ring-fenced funding model for cost of later-life care. Detailed modelling required. Social insurance system would need input from younger generation.
Jenkins says care system that is financially sustainable and treats people fairly, support according to need. Need to examine government’s previous work and reasons for delay in delivering model. Don’t commission same research again if solution exists. Need to be realistic on capacity.
Need a care workforce to support it.
10.52.
More questions on priorities. Answers broadly same!
10.54 STYLE UPDATE!
David Ashford is not wearing a wig. Repeat, no wig for the Speaker.
He has confided to the blog that he will wear one on ceremonial occasions and we cannot wait to see it.
11am
How many newbies will you have in Comin? Long answer from Thomas, not sure there’s a specific number but right people for right job.
More importantly he tries to set out the combination of collective responsibility and ability to represent constituents.
All here to represent everyone, but don’t rely on Facebook polls.
Jenkins says the most appropriate people should be appointed to the right positions. And members have responsibility for constituents.
So both say clearer rules on responsibilities and the right people in the right jobs. Which is reassuring.
11.04
Not two thirds of the way through questions yet. Food parcels for the press bench can be left outside the front door of the Keys.
(On second thoughts, don’t. We’ll probably get into trouble.)
11.24
Three questions to go.
Then closing statements.
Then voting.
11.35
CLOSING STATEMENTS!
11.40. CHRIS THOMAS IS CHIEF MINISTER
Head to head ballot.
THOMAS 16 votes to 6 JENKINS
Confirmatory vote:
THOMAS 22 for 2 against,