Glover urges MHKs to 'show backbone' as no confidence debate begins

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan faces vote on leadership

This article is being updated periodically - scroll down for the latest updates from today's debate.

The mover of today's motion of no confidence against Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has urged his fellow MHKs to 'show backbone'.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover, in opening the debate this morning, said he didn't bring the motion against the Council of Ministers because he believes some ministers are doing a 'good job'.

Rather, he says, it's Mr Cannan's leadership he's lost faith in:

Despite Mr Glover saying he hadn't approached any member about seconding his motion, Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas stepped up to do just that.

As it is a non-statutory motion, meaning it's not legally binding, Mr Cannan will not be obligated to resign - even if he loses the vote.

"What is Mr Glover hoping to achieve?" 

Onchan MHK Rob Callister - a former health minister - questioned the motive behind the motion and says he will not be voting in favour of the 'misguided' motion:

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Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh has also criticised the motives behind the motion and the apparent lack of a plan should it be successful.

Support for Mr Glover appears to be lacking, so far.

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Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson says although the motion isn't aimed at the Council of Ministers, she takes it as a question against the entire body's leadership.

She says she will step down from her role should the vote go against Mr Cannan.

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Douglas North MHK David Ashford has defended Mr Glover's approach to the motion of no confidence, saying it's every MHKs right to bring such a motion forward in any which way and wording they choose.

However, he says he won't be supporting it.

"If anyone thinks changing the chief minister would change anything they are completely deluded." - David Ashford.

In his closing remarks, Mr Ashford says a vote of no confidence against the chief minister wouldn't achieve anything. 

"If this motion passes today, I wish anyone who votes for it good luck."

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Rushen MHK Dr Haywood says if the vote goes against Mr Cannan and he subsequently resigns, it would bring government - and a Council of Ministers she supports -  'crashing down'.

"I urge you to try and do a bit better, please."

Whilst she says the motion is a "step too far", Dr Haywood calls on Mr Cannan to mind his language and behaviour in the future.

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Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston says he's "saddened and frustrated" by the motion.

He says it's 'self-serving and shows total disregard to the stability of government.'

Like the Justice and Home Affairs Minister, Mr Johnston too says he will resign if the motion is successful.

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Middle MHK Stu Peters, the most succinct of the speakers so far, says he won't be supporting the motion.

Mr Peters says to bring the motion forward, at this time, "wasn't brave".

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"Are we actually in a better place than we were in September 2021?" - Jason Moorhouse MHK

Mr Glover's constituency colleague, Jason Moorhouse, says he also won't be supporting the motion, but hopes it will be a "catalyst for change" saying it's a time for government and the Council of Ministers to pause and reflect.

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Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper, who resigned from his role as health minister this month sparking conversations about Alfred Cannan's leadership, is next to speak.

He says anyone who votes in favour of Mr Cannan should put their name forward to take over as health minister.

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The debate continues.

You can listen live to Manx Radio's House of Keys coverage via AM1368, or via the listen now tab.