A new political party has launched: ‘CHANGE Isle of Man’ has formally entered the political landscape ahead of the 2026 House of Keys General Election.
The party confirmed on 6 August that The Change Movement Limited has now been officially registered as a political party, describing the development as an important milestone that clears the way for its candidates to appear on ballot papers across the Island.
Candidates
Founding members of Change, Andrew Forster and Mark Cleator, are the party’s first names to declare they are standing for election.
Both men have positioned CHANGE as a response to what they argue is a persistent lack of accountability and a political system that has grown complacent. Their message centres on giving voters a genuine alternative and challenging what they see as a culture of excuses within government.
With registration complete, the party has turned its attention to the practical steps required to secure nominations. Under Manx election rules, each candidate must gather a proposer, a seconder and twenty additional signatures from registered electors within their constituency. CHANGE has emphasised that signing a nomination paper does not commit anyone to voting for the candidate; instead, it simply ensures that voters have a choice when they go to the polls.
Invitation to Candidates
The party has also issued an open invitation to anyone considering standing in September’s election. It says it wants to speak with prospective candidates about what standing under the CHANGE banner could involve, signalling an ambition to expand its slate beyond the two founding members. Further announcements are expected as the election approaches.
With its registration confirmed and its first candidates declared, CHANGE Isle of Man now enters the campaign as one of the newest political forces seeking to reshape the Island’s political direction. The coming weeks will reveal how many candidates it can field and how its message resonates with voters across the constituencies.
You can find out more about the party at change.co.im