I would like to formally announce that I will be seeking re-election as Member of the House of Keys for Ramsey in the 2026 general election on September 24th this year.
Ramsey is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Supporting the people of my home, first as a Commissioner and for two terms as an MHK has been a privilege and I will forever be deeply humbled by the trust placed in me over the last 14 years.
When I first asked for your support in 2016, it was because I couldn’t sit by and ignore the scale of the challenges facing our Island. In 2021, coming out of the pandemic, I felt exactly the same. And now, in 2026, many people understandably feel that we are still wrestling with many of the same issues: the rising cost of living, pressures on housing, a sluggish economy, and a government that too often seems hesitant to take decisive action.
We can overcome these challenges if we are willing to make difficult decisions for the right reasons. During my three years as Minister for Health, I didn’t get everything right, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But I have always believed that we do not elect MHKs to sit on their hands. We elect them to represent our interests, to stand by their principles, and to take responsibility for the decisions they make. Leadership is not about avoiding risk; it is about doing what you believe is right for the Island and being accountable for it.
Despite the difficulties of recent years, I do not believe everything is worse than it was five years ago. There has been real progress. Just a few successes include halving the CAHMS waiting list, beginning to tackle long‑neglected brownfield sites, strengthening employment rights for parents, and here in Ramsey securing an additional pharmacy to support local healthcare. These are meaningful steps forward, and I am proud to have played a part in them.
It’s not all been plain sailing and there is still a long way to go. Housing and energy security remain pressing issues. Ramsey needs enhanced medical and care facilities and our systems of government are overdue for reform. Unless we revitalise our economy — by making it easier to do business, cutting unnecessary red tape, and simplifying how government interacts with industry — any ambition to improve public services will fall at the first hurdle.
Above all, government must never lose sight of the people it serves. Too often, decisions made with good intentions end up placing the greatest burden on those least able to bear it. Over the years, I have become more convinced than ever that if government focuses on getting the basics right and looking after our people, the rest will follow.
How the government decides to go about tackling these challenges is just as important as the solutions themselves. Decision making should be open and transparent, and our politicians need to be willing to take the time to listen, to talk and to explain. This is a journey we are all on together.
Thanks for taking the time to read this brief announcement. More detail on my thoughts and views and those of my Liberal Vannin colleagues will follow over the coming months. In the meantime, if you would like to talk, share ideas or raise concerns, I am always just an e-mail or phone call away
If you want more information about the upcoming general election – go to:
https://elections.gov.im/house-of-keys-general-election-2026/
Lawrie Hooper MHK 