PEOPLE
We have a new Chair of Liberal Vannin, Paul Weatherall and new Secretary in Michael Josem. You can find Paul’s statement on his election at:
Statement from Paul Weatherall on his election as Chair of Liberal Vannin – Liberal Vannin
After an absence of some time, for personal reasons, founder of Liberal Vannin, Peter Karran, has recently been co-opted back on to the Party’s Executive Committee – thanks Peter! Immediate past Party Leader and retired MHK for Douglas South, Kate Costain has been granted lifetime membership, as a gesture of thanks for her service.
Finally, but not least, welcome to all of our new members, who have joined since the New Year.
LIBERAL VANNIN IN ACTION
Our media releases during January on drugs reform and the budget can be seen at:
Tynwald Letting the Grass Grow – Liberal Vannin
Liberal Vannin calls for a Covid Focused Budget – Liberal Vannin
TYNWALD
Report from Lawrie Hooper, Party Leader and MHK for Ramsey:
January 2021 has been a difficult month, with three weeks of lockdown not on anyone’s Christmas wish list. The Island has done fantastically well to pull together and pull through, and with the vaccination rollout now under way, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
As part of the government’s Economy Recovery Group, I worked to ensure that the government support schemes were quickly turned back on when lockdown hit, and I am continuing to work on improving and evolving these schemes where people encounter issues getting access to support. The schemes aren’t perfect, and I encourage anyone who has difficulty accessing support to reach out to the Party and we will do our best to fight your corner.
In Tynwald I have been fighting to ensure people in the north of the Island have easy access to the vaccine hub at the airport as well as pushing for government to reinstate the compassionate travel route onto the Island, with enhanced safeguards in place. I have also overseen the launch of the Island’s medicinal cannabis export sector and will continue to push for Island residents to be able to access medicinal cannabis on prescription. Lastly, following my general debate last year Government has this month published the outline of an approach to developing an all-island housing strategy, focusing on affordable, suitable and accessible housing for all Island residents – a Key Liberal Vannin priority.
In the Keys, I’ve supported the introduction of a Bill to bring about proper regulation of gas prices as well as continuing to work on improving proposals for registration of private landlords and reinforcing the Climate change Bill to ensure Government sets ambitious targets and sticks to them. I have also introduced a Bill to protect the Manx taxpayer from potential liability when government acts under its international obligations surrounding money laundering.
All in all, it’s been a busy few weeks, and about to get busier, with the budget next month set to take us into the last financial year of this administration.
UPDATED PARTY PRINCIPLES
In readiness for this year’s General Election and as an aid to recruitment, the Party has adopted the following set of principles:
Declaration of Principles – Liberal Vannin
GENERAL ELECTION & LOCAL ELECTIONS
If you’ve ever considered running for public office, either as a local Commissioner or Councillor or as a Member of the House of Keys now is a good time to get involved!
The Island is facing some significant challenges ahead and if you think you could make a difference please get in touch with the Party. Liberal Vannin is seeking committed, compassionate and of course liberal minded candidates to contest both local (April) and national (September) elections this year.
Take a look at our Party Principles (see link above) and get in touch!
COMING UP
Our next public meeting will be a Question Time panel to discuss the budget, which will be announced in February Tynwald. The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 25th at the Christian Science Meeting Room, Woodbourne Road, Douglas at 7.30pm. We’re hoping to present a wide range of views on the panel, so it should be a lively debate. Keep an eye out for registration details, which we’ll circulate nearer the time.
GET INVOLVED
Our website at www.liberalvannin.im now allows anyone to make donations or pay membership subscriptions online. Membership subscriptions are only £10 annually, or £5 at the concessionary rate. See details at: