Ministerial roles for Ashford, Christian and Haywood in CoMin reshuffle

Lord-Brennan resigns as Cabinet Office Minister while Crookall takes up Minister Without Portfolio role

The chief minister has announced a reshuffle in his Council of Ministers, with three new appointments.

Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan has stepped down to focus on constituency issues, while CoMin already had one vacancy following the resignation of former Health and Social Care Minister Lawrie Hooper last month.

Douglas South MHK Claire Christian takes charge of the health department, while Douglas North member David Ashford comes in at the Cabinet.

There’s also a change at the Department of Infrastructure as Tim Crookall takes on a Minister Without Portfolio brief to provide additional support to the chief minister, with Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood joining CoMin as infrastructure minister.

The changes see Ms Christian and Dr Haywood appointed as ministers for the first time, while Mr Ashford returns to CoMin following his resignation as treasury minister in May 2022.

Mr Ashford will also remain as a political member at the health department following his appointment last month, with Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson also becoming a political member for DHSC.

While the appointment of two ministers as political members of another department is unusual, Alfred Cannan says it’s important the health department has adequate political resources:

The creation of the Minister Without Portfolio position sees the Council of Ministers increase from nine to 10 members.

Mr Cannan says Mr Crookall’s remit will be to support him, and provide experience following the recent changes within CoMin:

Ms Lord-Brennan also leaves her role as chair of the Public Services Commission - that position will be filled by Onchan MHK Rob Callister, who also becomes vice chair of the Public Sector Pensions Authority and joins Cabinet Office as a political member.

You can hear Mr Cannan’s full interview with Manx Radio’s Political Correspondent Phil Gawne below:

The Council of Ministers in full:

Chief Minister – Alfred Cannan

Cabinet Office Minister – David Ashford

Education, Sport and Culture Minister – Daphne Caine

Enterprise Minister – Tim Johnston

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister - Clare Barber

Health and Social Care Minister – Claire Christian

Home Affairs and Justice Minister – Jane Poole-Wilson

Infrastructure Minister – Michelle Haywood

Minister Without Portfolio – Tim Crookall

Treasury Minister – Alex Allinson