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Ministers to hold roadshow to gather public views

Ashlea Tracey
BBC News, Isle of Man
IOM GOV A woman wearing a blue coat raising her hand at a meeting, she faces ministers that have been blurred by the camera. She sits in between other people who are looking in the same direction.IOM GOV
The 2025 roadshow will begin on 30 June in the north of the island

Government ministers are set to face the public in a series of regional meetings starting next month.

Four events, featuring members of the Isle of Man Council of Ministers, will be held at state-run secondary schools in Ramsey, Castletown, Douglas and Peel from 30 June to 3 July.

The Listening to You roadshow follows a series of similar workshops held in April 2024.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said it was "crucial" for ministers to "meet and engage with the public on issues that impact everyday lives".

He said there was "real value in making sure politicians are accessible to the public" and the conversations meant ministers could understand any "concerns and priorities at first hand".

The meetings would help government ministers make "informed decisions" that reflect the needs of the population, he said.

Isle of Man Government Alfred Cannan stands in the middle of a crowd of people, he talks to a woman wearing a green and yellow coat. He holds a pad and pen in his hands and wears a navy blue suit.Isle of Man Government
The Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said the sessions would help influence policy

The meetings are set to include a welcome and speech by the chief minister, followed by time for one-to-one conversations with ministers before politicians answer questions from the audience.

Cannan said it was "crucial" for politicians to listen to the public but was "equally important for the public to meet ministers to ask questions and receive a reply in the moment, in person".

He said the sessions were designed to "foster transparency and trust in government" and would allow government's wider aims to be shared "to ensure that policies are aligned with the interests of people in the Isle of Man".

'Meaningful conversations'

Encouraged young people to join the events he said: "By participating, you can be part of meaningful conversations and help to influence the decisions that shape our community."

The meetings will be held on consecutive nights starting at Ramsey Grammar School in Ramsey on 30 June, followed by Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, Castle Rushen High School in Castletown and ending at Queen Elizabeth II High School in Peel on 3 July.

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