Residents 'hopeful' as election gives new politicians a chance

There has been a shared sense of optimism among residents following the results of the island's general election - with 15 of the 24 incoming MHKs new to politics.

The outcome may reflect a desire for change within the Manx parliament, residents have said.

There have been eight women in total elected and only two have party affiliations, both with the Manx Labour Party.

Douglas East resident Hassan Patel said: "We've got to support them, I think that's the main thing."

He said their jobs were not "an easy task" but "nothing's easy" and he hoped MHKs would deliver on promises made in manifestos.

Visiting family in Preston, Patel said his flight back to the island had been cancelled, and travelling instead by ferry meant he did not make it back until 22:00 BST on election day, and missed his chance to vote.

Despite that he said he was happy with the successful candidates in his constituency of Garff.

Onchan resident Christina Jones said she hoped the new set of MHKs would "make waves" and encourage more people to the island and "have more growth".

At 24-year-old, she was pleased to see "young people in" the house, which she said brought "diversity into politics".

"I'm excited to see what happens," she added.

Douglas East constituent John Cain said it was "very interesting" the youngest ever MHK was elected in 18-year-old Daniel Davison in Glenfaba and Peel.

He said: "I think the people that have got in will do a good job.

"If it's a lot of local people, they've got a lot of experience of the Isle of Man and knows how the Isle of Man obviously does work."

He added that the only thing to do was "give them a go and hope that everything works out".

Garff resident Alison Hamilton-Lacey said she was also feeling "positive" and welcomed "new faces" to the Manx parliament.

She did however note that 15 newcomers was "a challenge" because "experience has been lost" and said "it might take them a while to get up and running".

"I think they're going to do a good job," she added.

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