Councillor Chris Thomas has won the Douglas West by-election by a significant majority.
Mr Thomas romped home with 676 votes, 277 ahead of his nearest rival John Skinner. Third in the running was Clive Dawson with 300 votes and in last position with 229 votes was former Rushen MHK Quintin Gill.
Mr Thomas thanked everyone who had helped in his campaign and told his supporters he felt privileged to serve the people of Douglas West.
‘It has been a long hard day for everyone and I’m very pleased and very honoured,’ he said.
A total of 1,614 votes were cast which represented a turn-out of 39.7 per cent.
Mr Thomas said he noted 2,400 people in the constituency had not voted at all and a further 600 were not on the electoral register so he said one of his objectives would be to re-engage with those voters who had not taken part.
‘I have a seven year plan in my manifesto and I am very pleased to have the chance to work with others to put in place the policies that 676 people thought were valuable,’ he said.
Polling stations closed around Douglas West at 8pm and the result was declared just before 10pm at All Saints church hall on Alexander Drive before a large number of the candidates’ friends and supporters.