The chief minister (Manx: Ard-hirveishagh) is the executive head of the Isle of Man Government.

The office derives from that of chairman of the Executive Council. Before 1980 the Executive Council was chaired by the lieutenant governor, but thereafter the chairman was elected by Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man.[1] The title was changed to "chief minister" in 1986.[2]

The chief minister is appointed by the lieutenant governor on the nomination of the House of Keys (formerly the nomination of Tynwald) after a general election for the House of Keys. He holds office until the next general election (i.e. normally for five years) and is eligible for re-appointment, but may be removed from office by simple majority in Tynwald on a vote of no confidence in the Council of Ministers.[3]

The incumbent chief minister is Alfred Cannan, who has held the office since 12 October 2021.

List of officeholders

Prior to 1986, the office of chief minister was known as the chairman of the Executive Council.

No.Chief Minister Took office Left office Tenure Party Election

Chairmen of the Executive Council

1 SirCharles Kerruish(1917–2003)MHK for Garff[4][5]196119676 years IndependentTBA
2 Norman Crowe(1905–1992)MHK for Michael[5]196719715 years IndependentTBA
3 Percy Radcliffe(1916–1991)MHK for Ayre[5]197119776 years IndependentTBA
4 Clifford Irving(1914–2004)MHK for Douglas East[5]197719814 years IndependentTBA
(3)Percy Radcliffe(1916–1991)MHK for Ayre[5]198119854 years IndependentTBA
5 Lt ColEdgar Mann(1926–2013)MHK for Garff[5]198519861 year IndependentTBA

Chief Ministers

1 SirMiles Walker(born 1940)MHK for Rushen3 December 19863 December 199610 years, 0 days Independent1986
1991
2 Donald Gelling(born 1938)MHK for Malew and Santon3 December 19964 December 20015 years, 1 day Independent1996
3 Richard Corkill(born 1951)MHK for Onchan4 December 200114 December 2004[a]3 years, 10 days Independent2001
– Allan Bell(born 1947)MHK for RamseyCaretaker14 December 20041 day IndependentChairmanof theCouncilof Ministersacting aschief minister
(2)Donald Gelling(born 1938)MHK for Malew and Santon14 December 200414 December 20062 years, 0 days Independent–
4 Tony Brown(born 1950)MHK for Castletown14 December 200611 October 20114 years, 301 days Independent2006
5 Allan Bell(born 1947)MHK for Ramsey11 October 20114 October 20164 years, 359 days Independent2011
6 Howard Quayle(born 1967)MHK for Middle[8]4 October 201612 October 20215 years, 8 days Independent2016
7 Alfred Cannan(born 1968)MHK for Ayre & Michael[5][9]12 October 2021Incumbent4 years, 256 days Independent2021

Timeline

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of chief ministers of the Isle of Man, with the chairmen of the Executive Council also being included. In total, twelve people have served as either chairman of the Executive Council or chief minister of the Isle of Man since 1961. They are listed in the order in which they first assumed the office (acting officeholders are not listed).

Alfred CannanHoward QuayleAllan BellTony Brown (Manx politician)Richard CorkillDonald GellingMiles WalkerEdgar MannClifford Irving (politician)Percy RadcliffeNorman CroweCharles Kerruish

See also

Notes

  1. ^Corkill resigned after he and his wife were arrested on allegations of fraud regarding tourist grants.[6][7]

References

  1. ^Constitution (Executive Council) (Amendment) Act 1980
  2. ^Constitution (Executive Council) Act 1986
  3. ^Council of Ministers Act 1990 section 2
  4. ^Winterbottom, Derek (1 August 2003). "Sir Charles Kerruish". The Independent. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  5. ^ abcdefgAllinson, Alex (23 October 2021). "All members must now play their part". Isle of Man. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  6. ^Leigh, David (3 December 2004). "Manx chief minister quits over fraud claims". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  7. ^Herbert, Ian (3 December 2004). "Isle of Man Chief Minister quits over corruption inquiry". The Independent. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  8. ^MR (4 October 2016). "New Chief Minister of the Isle of Man". isleofman.com. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  9. ^"Isle of Man Government - Alfred Cannan appointed as Isle of Man's Chief Minister".