Fifteen new members in Isle of Man general election

Kirrie Jenkins along with two men and one woman wear badges and smile behind a sign that reads Polling station at night.

Fifteen new members have been elected in the 2026 general election, with three members of the council of ministers losing their seats.

The outgoing enterprise minister Tim Johnston, education, sport and culture minister Daphne Caine and environment, food and agriculture minister Clare Barber have all lost their seats in the House of Keys.

Meanwhile, former infrastructure minister Michelle Haywood, former health and social care minister Lawrie Hooper, former education, sport and culture minister and deputy speaker of the house Ann Corlett have also not been re-elected.

In the western constituency of Glenfaba and Peel, Daniel Davison said it was "surreal" to be the youngest ever MHK to be elected in Manx politics at the age of 18.

Alf Cannan, a man with grey hair, wears a suit and badge and smiles.

There were 82 candidates contesting the election for the 24 seats available in the House of Keys.

The poll saw 15 new Members of the House of Keys selected, and seven existing members lose their seats, eight of whom are women - down from 10 in 2021.

The new House of Keys had been guaranteed to have eight new faces following the retirement from politics of six members, the election of Juan Watterson as President of Tynwald, and the death of John Wannenburgh in August.

Sarah Maltby stands at the count and smiles, her team surround her and wear yellow and red badges.
Stephen Broad and Alfred Cannan

In Ayre and Michael, Stephen Broad topped the poll while Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has kept his seat.

Broad told Manx Radio he would "give it my best shot".

Cannan said the election period had been a "humbling experience" but thanked constituents for taking the time to speak to him.

He said he needed to shape things in a way to try to address some of the "critical problems that have been raised on the doorstep and that "we all know we are facing".

The result meant former Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston was ousted from his seat.

Katryna Baptist and Daniel Davison.

In Glenfaba and Peel, Katryna Baptist came out on top, with Daniel Davison becoming the youngest ever person to be elected to the House of Keys.

Baptist told Manx Radio she was "really excited" although there was a "lot of work to do".

Davison, who is 18, said it was "such a surreal experience," adding that "it brings a generation to government, who have never been there before."

Jane Poole-Wilson and James Cochrane.

Deputy Chief Minister Jane Poole-Wilson attracted the most votes in Middle, with and James Cochraine has taken the other seat.

Poole-Wilson told Manx Radio that she was "honoured" to be re-elected and to have served over the past five years.

James Cochrane said he was "really proud" to have stood next to the other candidates in Middle.

Andy Saunders and Joney Faragher.

In Douglas East, Andy Saunders came out on top of the poll while Joney Faragher kept her seat.

But Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber was out after 10 years in the House of Keys.

Richard Henthorn and Victoria Hewison.

Richard Henthorn and Victoria Hewison have been elected for Garff.

Reacting to the results, Hewison said she was "shocked" as she "really didn't expect to get in".

Kirrie Jenkins and Jason Moorhouse.

Jenkins said she was feeling "elation" to be elected and she was "speechless".

And Moorhouse said it was a "privilege" to be elected for a third term.

Juan McGuinness and Robert Cowell.

Juan McGuinness topped the poll in Ramsey followed by Robert Cowell.

McGuinness told Manx Radio that the "hard work starts now," and Robert Cowell said he was "overwhelmed" and "very grateful" to be elected.

Lawrie Hooper, who lost his seat after 10 years in the House of Keys, said that although he was "disappointed" McGuinness and Cowell would do a "fantastic job".

Hooper, who is a former health minister, said he was proud of his work to reduce waiting lists, and would now go back to being a chartered accountant.

David Ashford and Damian Ciappelli.

In Douglas North, David Ashford topped the polled for the third time, while Damian Ciappelli was elected to the seat previously held by John Wannenburgh, who died suddenly in August.

Ciappelli told Manx Radio that he was "delighted to be elected and was "ready to get stuck in."

Peter Shimmin and Chris Thomas.

Peter Shimmin, who secured the highest number of votes in Douglas Central, said he was "overwhelmed" and "incredibly grateful".

When asked about his priorities, he said the economy, affordable housing and "anything that supports younger people and families and makes the Isle of Man a great place to build your future".

Current Treasury Minister Chris Thomas – who kept his seat – said he was "very pleased" to be elected in a "difficult constituency".

He said there were "many, many important challenges and we need to rise to them", citing issues with transport, public finances, healthcare and food security.

"Compromise is a good thing, consensus is a good thing, but we can't afford a fudge," he added.

Meanwhile, Ann Corlett, who lost her seat, said it was "a little disappointing" but she had "a strange sense of relief" that she could "get back" to her life and "do some of the things I've been planning to do".

She said her highlights included bringing through social legislation and being Deputy Speaker of the House of Keys.

Mark Kemp and Michael Crowe.

Crowe, who topped the poll, said he was "grateful" to be elected and was "looking forward to get stuck in".

Kemp told Manx Radio: "I think people are just sick of what we've had," adding that he wanted to focus on diversifying the economy.

Headshots of Rob Callister and Rachel Glover.

Rob Callister said on Facebook that he was "deeply grateful and honoured" to have been re-elected, adding, "tomorrow, I get back to work".

The outgoing MHK Julie Edge told Manx Radio: "I have worked really hard for the people of Onchan, and I have delivered, but the results are what they are."

Edge, who served a spell as education minister during the outgoing administration, said she would continue with her work on whistleblowing.

Sarah Maltby and Claire Christian.

In Douglas South, Claire Christian said she was "really thrilled" with the "really wonderful result.

Christian, who is the current health minister, added: "I want to thank the electorate."

Sarah Maltby said on social media: "Thank you for trusting me to represent Douglas South.

"I am completely overwhelmed with the support."

People celebrate in a hall at Douglas Central.

What's next?

Those who have been elected as a Member of the House of Keys (MHK) will be sworn in on Tuesday by the first and second deemsters.

The House of Keys will then sit on 13 October to nominate a chief minister and speaker of the House of Keys.

Get in touch

Tell us which stories we should cover on the Isle of Man

Related internet links

Original source Fifteen new members in Isle of Man general election

Back to home