“Politicians are Bluffing Each Other” – Thomas in his 2024 Chief Bid

When Chris Thomas briefly put himself forward during the 2024 vote of no confidence in Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, the moment was overshadowed by the political drama of the day. The vote failed, Cannan remained in office, and Thomas returned to the backbenches for a while. He did eventually become the Treasury Minister earlier this year after the sacking of Alex Allinson. This was an interesting move, but we are not here to rerun analysis of that appointment.

Politicians surely know that anything they give the press is archived forever and usually resurfaces when they least expect it. So the long interview Thomas gave to me at the time, now reads very differently as he once again seeks the Island’s top political role in 2026.

Just two weeks ago the island went to the polls to elect a new House of Keys and many of Thomas’ former colleagues were voted out – some in in quite sensational style, seeing their support collapse. Every other of Thomas’ ‘Class of 2021’* who did find enough favour to be reelected, saw their votes drop considerably. Mr Thomas also saw his support drop in Douglas Central. Many commentators have said this was a clear message that the public were not happy in the direction of travel the outgoing government had been taking.

^{*Yes Sarah Maltby you were the one exception and maintained your support and increased it by 1 vote!}

Is Thomas a Fresh Start…Or The Old Guard Taking Back Control?

Revisiting that conversation I had in 2024 offers a window into Thomas’ thinking, his instincts under pressure, and the leadership style he may bring if chosen this time around. It also highlights a few remarks that, with hindsight, sit uneasily alongside his current bid.

In that 2024 interview, Thomas also offered two unusually candid reflections on political character and trust. At one point he described himself as “the least narcissistic politician you would ever think,” a remark delivered lightly but striking in the context of a conversation where he was simultaneously positioning himself as a potential stabilising figure during a confidence vote. Moments later he recalled early advice from a colleague — “don’t trust any of them, don’t even trust me” — and suggested that politicians often “bluff each other” inside the House of Keys. Taken together, the comments painted a picture of someone who sees politics as a space where motives are complex and trust is fragile, even as he was stepping forward for the Island’s top job.

Manx Care

His reflections on Manx Care were equally forthright. Thomas criticised what he saw as excessive layers of management and a system that had become “more expensive” without delivering the improvements promised. He spoke passionately about empowering frontline staff and reducing bureaucracy. Yet his answers also showed that his proposed direction was still forming. He acknowledged the need to “establish which jobs and non‑jobs need to be got rid of,” but did not identify which roles or structures he believed should change. It was clear he had strong views on the problems, but the solutions were less defined.

healthcare hasn’t really worked, Manx Care in its current form hasn’t really worked, healthcare is worse than it was five years ago and it’s more expensive now

Chris Thomas MHK in 2024

Thomas stated they can’t ‘reverse’ the creation of Manx Care but could merge it back in to the DHSC. He went on to say that ‘healthcare hasn’t really worked, Manx Care in its current form hasn’t really worked, healthcare is worse than it was five years ago and it’s more expensive now”

So how will his 2026 transformation plans address these powerful statements as he admits that Manx Care is an expensive failure?

Energy Policy & Connectivity

Energy policy was another area where Thomas’ 2024 comments now stand out. He questioned the consistency of government strategy, noting that the 2024 energy plan was “mind‑blowingly different” from the previous year’s. He expressed doubts about timelines, infrastructure and the Island’s ability to meet climate targets. His tone was not dismissive, but cautious — signalling a desire for clearer evidence before committing to major projects. As he seeks the leadership again, those comments may be interpreted either as prudent scrutiny or as a sign that he prefers to pause rather than push ahead.

On connectivity and transport, Thomas’ concerns were clear. He warned that deteriorating air and sea links were “devastating the island,” and argued that the Steam Packet needed a more customer‑focused approach. His suggestion that external ferry operators could one day play a strategic role was unconventional, and perhaps intentionally provocative, but it underscored his belief that the Island should not rule out bold options when core services are under strain. It is a strange stance when the Government bought the Steam Packet to ensure there were no commercial interests impacting the ‘islands lifeline’.

Divided House Already

Throughout the 2024 interview, Thomas positioned himself as someone willing to step forward if colleagues felt he was needed. He described himself as a “safe pair of hands,” drawing a comparison to former Chief Minister Donald Gelling, who was known for steadying government during turbulent periods. Yet he also acknowledged that he had “fundamentally disagreed” with several Council of Ministers policies at the time — a reminder that his relationship with the administration has not always been smooth.

Taken together, the interview paints a picture of a politician who is analytical, outspoken and deeply engaged with the Island’s structural challenges. But it also reveals moments of uncertainty, contradictions in policy direction, and a tendency to frame problems more clearly than solutions. As Thomas seeks the Chief Ministership again in 2026, these earlier comments provide useful context for MHKs and voters assessing what kind of leadership he would bring.

The 2024 interview was not intended as a campaign pitch, yet it may now be one of the most revealing insights in understanding Thomas’ approach to government. Whether it strengthens or complicates his case this time around will depend on how those words are interpreted — and how much confidence members of the House of Keys place in the vision he offers today.

The Public Will Be Watching – Old Guard or New Broom?

The vote for the Chief Minister takes place in the House of Keys on Tuesday and with votes being public, the new House will be sending out a signal to the voters. The choice MHK’s are making is a divided one. Do they elect Chris Thomas MHK (Douglas Central) who has been part of the administration since 2013; a man who has held numerous ministerial posts throughout that time – or – will they be bold and signal ‘change’ the voters appear to have been crying out for, by electing Keys newcomer Kirrie Jenkins MHK (Arbory, Castletown & Malew)?

Because there are pros and cons to both choices depending on outcomes:- elect someone new and the old guard will no doubt blame the lack of political experience if things go wrong… or elect one of the old guard and suffer a major backlash when people do not see the quality of their lives get better and the size of government reduce.

They Both Fail – Who Is Waiting In The Shaddows

There is every chance that both candidates may fail to reach the magic number of 13 – so then what? How palatable will it be for another of the ‘old guard’ to come sailing in from the shadows having avoided all of the hustings, all of the fanfare, all of the scrutiny and simply take back control of the government?

This is the first major test for the new house and the public will be watching.