The island’s local authorities go to the polls in April and candidates are starting to announce that they are planning to stnad.
One is Claire Wells, a Liberal Vannin party member who is standing again for Hills ward in Douglas.
She said: ‘Since September it has been my pleasure to represent Murrays Ward on Douglas Council, having taken the opportunity presented by a seat becoming unexpectedly vacant.
‘However, I am declaring my intention to seek election as a councillor for Hills Ward during the upcoming elections in April as this is where I live and Hills is the ward I feel best able to represent.
‘I would like to make myself available to the people who share this part of Douglas with me, to represent our shared interests and to look out for our community.
‘Over the past six months I have learned a great deal and have not been shy in questioning current practices or challenging decisions being made.
‘I have the right skills to allow me to critically assess information presented to Council and to use common sense to help find simple and effective solutions to some of the challenges we face.
‘The support and assistance I have received from all the current councillors and council staff has been outstanding and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their kind and encouraging words.’
Are you planning to stand in council or commissioners’ elections?
Email newsdesk@newsiom.co.im to let us know.
The general election takes place in September.
Then voters get to choose the 24 members of the House of Keys.
This year’s election will be the first with new constituencies, which are being introduced after a review.
The new constituencies each have two members, rather than the current mix of different one-, two- and three-member seats.