Latest news with #Cannan
ITV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Chief Minister 'not distracted' by upcoming election as Isle of Man administration enters final year
Chief Minister Alfred Cannan 'focused on delivering for people' as administration enters final year Chief Minister Alfred Cannan says "there'll be no talk of elections" in his government as the administration enters its final year. Mr Cannan has been addressing islanders at four public roadshow events giving people the opportunity to question the government on their decisions. The leader of the Isle of Man Government dismissed claims of a "focus shift" towards the election, while listing a number of challenges faced by ministers. These included discussions around artificial intelligence (AI), delivering the housing agenda, and security at the island's ports. Mr Cannan would not confirm, at this stage, whether he intends to stand in the Isle of Man General Election taking place in September next year. Mr Cannan addressed why a 'low number' of people turned out to the government roadshows Ministers from the Isle of Man Government have spent the week addressing members of the public in four "roadshow" events, taking questions from a live audience. Led by Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, the government travelled to Ramsey, Douglas, Castletown and Peel to hear from residents about their concerns as the island heads into the final year of Cannan's administration. Despite the opportunity to question Cannan's government, a total of just 281 people attended across all four events, with Castletown claiming the largest crowd of 97. With a population of 85,000, some questioned how valuable the roadshow events were in engaging with the population, if the majority were unable to attend. Mr Cannan said: "I accept you don't always get great turnouts at these types of events. "A lot of people are very busy in their lives, it's not ideal during the week, people are coming home from work, they might have young families. He continued: "Even as a small representation, I'm sure that we will have got from those 300 people many of the core issues and questions that thousands of others will be having on our island." Mr Cannan said 'we'll walk away wiser' following engagement with the public When asked whether the Chief Minister thought he was in line with the people of the Isle of Man, he said: "I am not for one minute going to pretend this is easy. "There are so many different aspects of challenge and concern, but there's also a huge need for us to get facts and information out to the public to overcome what can be huge misconceptions or misleading statements or rumours." Alfred Cannan concluded by saying he hoped people felt 'more informed' by attending the roadshows.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Revamped former nurses' home in Douglas 'symbol of progress'
The completion of a regeneration project in the centre of the Manx capital is a "symbol of progress" of moves to redevelop vacant sites, the chief minister has said. Thie Clag has replaced the former nurses' home, which was built in 1953 when Noble's Hospital was situated in marks the first scheme by the Manx Development Corporation (MDC), which is a government-backed organisation set up to redevelop urban and brownfield the official opening Alfred Cannan said it marked a "significant achievement" in the in moves to create "sustainable development and community enhancement". The £11m complex includes a mix of 37 one and two-bedroom rental apartments. Cannan said the development, which also saw the clock house restored, "respectfully preserved" the former nurses' home and was a "a symbol of progress" for the regeneration of the MDC was founded with "a clear mission, to regenerate brownfield sites on the island as part of the commitments this administration set out within the Island Plan", he added. MDC Managing Director Dane Harrop said the first tenants would be moving in later this month and so far 70% of the flats had been said tenants were made up of their "target market", including key workers, young graduates and returning professionals."It's very important to repurpose and we're very proud that its a refurbished project," he organisation hoped to get started on the next project soon and was awaiting legal sign off for a "inner city village" near to the Thie Clag building, he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Isle of Man chief minister's gaslighting remark 'unacceptable'
A Tynwald committee has called for the Isle of Man's chief minister to withdraw remarks that accused the former health minister of "gaslighting".Alfred Cannan said Lawrie Hooper's resignation speech on 15 October was a "fabrication" of facts and accused him of "gaslighting" the Council of Ministers and the public over Manx Care's full response was delivered by Cannan a day later in Tynwald, while Hooper was away on parliamentary Tynwald Standards and Members' Interests Committee found the chief minister's remarks were "unacceptable" and he had delivered "a public attack on Mr Hooper's character". In Hooper's resignation statement in October, he said: "I cannot in good conscience continue to serve a chief minister who has set out to both publicly and privately undermine my ability to do the job that is required."He added that he believed Cannan had an "ultimate aim to try and privatise our health service". On 16 October, when Hooper was not present, Cannan responded: "That statement on privatisation was of course a fabrication. "It is a falsehood and a slur on the Council of Ministers."Cannan also accused Hooper of gaslighting the Council of Ministers and the public by stating the island's health service was underfunded. Hooper reported the remarks to the Tynwald Standards and Members' Interests Committee. It reviewed the comments made during the October Tynwald sitting, as well as the later House of Keys meeting on 29 October when members debated a motion of no confidence in the chief minister, which ultimately the discussion several members criticised referred to Cannan's remarks about Hooper. In response Cannan said "where I have fallen short, I am sorry".In its report the committee said: "Accusations of lying are unacceptable."It concluded Cannan's language had been "unacceptable" and "it is not acceptable parliamentary practice for one member to characterise what another member has said as fabrication, falsehood or gaslighting".The committee called for the chief minister to formally withdraw his remarks in May's Tynwald sitting. It has also recommended training for all members "in the principles of parliamentary language and debate". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Isle of Man and Liverpool 'strengthen ties'
Political leaders have pledged to strengthen "economic, cultural, and political ties" between the Isle of Man and the Liverpool City Region. Manx Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, the leader of Liverpool City Council Liam Robinson and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The document includes a pledge for co-operation on economic opportunities, tourism and culture, education and transport connections. Cannan said it would "forge new opportunities for growth and collaboration" between the two regions. The MOU was signed in Liverpool at a special event held at the new Manx-government funded ferry terminal situated at Princes Half Tide Dock. It has been cited as the driving force behind the agreement. The Manx government said the construction phase of the project had generated £3.2m for the regional economy in Liverpool. Cannan said: "Our investment in the new ferry terminal in the city is our biggest single investment in the UK and has been a catalyst for these discussions. "The signing of this MOU is a clear statement from both administrations that forging closer economic ties is a strategic priority and one which offers mutual benefits." As part of the agreement the island and Liverpool will hold annual conferences, alternating as hosts. A Manx government spokeswoman said the move coincided with aims in the Island Plan to "create thousands of new jobs and attract 500,000 visitors per year by 2032". It follows the Department for Enterprise becoming a "strategic partner" with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce last year. Commenting on the latest strengthening of ties, Rotheram said: "For centuries, our people have been connected through travel, trade, and shared culture." The agreement marked "the beginning of a new era of cooperation" and would "unlock new opportunities for economic growth, skills development, and sustainable innovation", he added. Robinson said many people from the Liverpool City Region had "long, fond associations with the Isle of Man dating back generations". "It makes sense for us to forge closer ties with one of our nearest neighbours, exploring opportunities for collaboration and mutually beneficial associations," he said. Signing the MOU meant "opening the door to greater innovation, technology exchange, and investment opportunities", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Government priorities set out in plan update Bid for stronger Manx ties with north-west England Isle of Man Government Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Liverpool City Council
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bid for fresh Summerland inquest not yet received
A formal application for a fresh inquest into the 50 people killed in the Summerland fire disaster in 1973 has not been made, the chief minister has confirmed. The Justice for Summerland Group, made up of survivors and relatives of victims, said last May that it would make a formal bid to overturn the original misadventure verdicts. Alfred Cannan said the Attorney General had not received a formal application. But campaign group, which appointed Belfast-based human rights law firm Phoenix Law to act for the families last year, said taking legal action over the issues was still its intention. Darragh Mackin from the legal firm last year represented many families of 48 young people killed in the Stardust fire in Dublin in 1981, who successfully fought for their own fresh inquest. Cannan told the House of Keys the Attorney General (AG) had received a letter on 20 May from the firm that said it intended to make an application for a fresh inquest in the coming weeks. However the AG had confirmed he had not received an application, but would "give his full consideration to such a request at the time should one be received", Cannan said. Joney Faragher MHK questioned whether Cannan acknowledged that a fresh inquest could provide "long overdue justice and closure for the families affected". He said government had paid "full respects" to those who lost their lives along with those who dealt with the tragedy and had apologised. But he said it was "not for me to make judgement on what happened at Summerland" and it would be for the AG to consider whether an inquest was reopened. About 3,000 people were at the Summerland entertainment complex on the evening 2 August 1973, which at the time was one of the biggest indoor leisure complexes in Europe, when a blaze thought to have been started by three boys from Liverpool smoking broke out. A public inquiry held in the aftermath of the tragedy found there were "no villains", only human beings who made mistakes. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Campaigners to apply for fresh Summerland inquest Fire inquest could 'heal wounds but open others' Summerland survivors call for inquests review Tynwald - House of Keys Justice for Summerland
