Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas sacked

Follows vote on planning issues in Tynwald

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas has been dismissed from the Council of Ministers by Chief Minister Howard Quayle.

In a government statement released this evening (27 May), it's said Mr Thomas's actions were 'at odds with the principle of collective responsibility".

The Douglas Central MHK voted against the Emergency Powers (Coronavirus Town and Country Planning Procedures) Regulations 2020 during Tuesday's (26 May) sitting of Tynwald, where a bid to have only written submissions allowed to planning inquiries was defeated by the Court.

He also did not vote with CoMin when the question of closing the border was considered in Tynwald at the end of March.

Mr Thomas was first made Policy and Reform Minister in 2016, a role which had been previously occupied by Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw, prior to the 2016 general election.

He's been a leading government figure on issues such as pensions reform, the programme for government, rates reform, the formation of new area plans, and most recently negotiations with the BBC on TV licences, and Manx Gas over a new regulatory agreement.

On the dismissal, Mr Quayle said "Collective responsibility requires that ministers should be able to express their views frankly and freely in private, while maintaining a united position when decisions have been reached by the Council of Ministers.  Mr Thomas did not adhere to this principle.

It is with great sadness therefore that I have concluded that I can no longer have full confidence in Mr Thomas as a minister in this government. I am a firm believer in diversity of opinion and thought.

I always welcomed Mr Thomas’s challenge within the Council of Ministers in a wide range of policy areas.  It has enriched debate.  Mr Thomas’s attention to fine detail, especially in the development of legislation, has been a real contribution.

I thank Mr Thomas for his service as Minister for Policy and Reform and his extensive contribution he has made to the work of this administration, most notably on developing our Programme for Government. I wish Mr Thomas all the best as he returns to the back benches where I know he will continue to work hard for his constituency and our Island.”

Manx Radio has requested interviews with both Mr Quayle and Mr Thomas.