General Election 2026

With the 2026 Isle of Man General Election approaching, dozens of candidates are asking voters to give them one of the 24 seats in the House of Keys. But what actually happens if they succeed? So You Want to be an MHK? takes a revealing, informative and entertaining look at what awaits a newly elected Member of the House of Keys once the campaigning is over, the votes have been counted and the real work begins. Hosted by Charles Guard and former Chief Minister Tony Brown , the programme draws on experience from inside Manx politics to explore the realities of becoming a national politician – from those first bewildering days in Tynwald to understanding parliamentary procedure, dealing with government departments, representing constituents and discovering how political influence really works. What makes a good MHK? How do new members find their way through the rules, traditions and conventions of Tynwald? How much power does an individual member actually have? What are the pitfalls awaiting an inexperienced politician? And how different is the reality of political life from the promises and expectations of an election campaign? Along the way, Charles and Tony explore the characters, customs and occasional absurdities of Manx parliamentary life, sharing stories and insights into the workings of the Island’s political system and considering some of the lessons that generations of MHKs have learned – sometimes the hard way. Part political guide, part history lesson and part affectionate look behind the curtain at Manx politics, So You Want to be an MHK? is essential listening not only for this year’s candidates, but for anyone who has ever wondered what our elected representatives actually encounter after we put a cross beside their name.

It's almost time for you to decide who you think deserves a seat in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you get to know the candidates, we've offered them all the chance to take part in a 30 minute interview to find out more about them. Up next is Peter Whiteway, who's standing in Ramsey. He's been speaking to Lewis Foster. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Robert Cowell, Nigel Dunmore, Lawrie Hooper, Juan McGuinness and Janine Shimmin.

It's almost time for you to decide who you think deserves a seat in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you get to know the candidates, we've offered them all the chance to take part in a 30 minute interview to find out more about them. Up next is Jane Poole-Wilson, who's standing in Middle. She's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Alf Caine, James Cochrane, Jason Moore, Andre Risha, Simon Sinclair and Graham Taylor.

The Live Constituency Debate with the candidates from Ramsey hosted by Beth Espey, Alex Brindley and Phil Gawne. The candidates are Gary Chambers, Michael Crowe, Michelle Haywood, Mark Kemp, Helen Sheppard, Laurence Vaughan-Williams, Simon Williams.

It's almost time for you to decide who you think deserves a seat in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you get to know the candidates, we've offered them all the chance to take part in a 30 minute interview to find out more about them. Up next is Phil Corkill, who's standing in Ayre and Michael. He's been speaking to Amy Griffiths. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Julia Bell, Stephen Broad, Alfred Cannan, Steve Curphey, Tim Johnston, Mary Phillips and Paul Weatherall.

It's almost time for you to decide who you think deserves a seat in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you get to know the candidates, we've offered them all the chance to take part in a 30 minute interview to find out more about them. Up next is Mark Cleator, who's standing in Glenfaba and Peel. He's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Katryna Baptist, Colleen Dale-Beeton, Daniel Davison, James Hampton, Ray Harmer, Alex Perriam and Geoffrey Pugh.

The Live Constituency Debate with the candidates from Ramsey hosted by Beth Espey, Alex Brindley and Phil Gawne. The candidates are Robert Cowell, Nigel Dunmore, Lawrie Hooper, Juan McGuinness, Janine Shimmin, Peter Whiteway.

In just a few days, you get to decide who you want to represent you in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you make up your mind, we've invited all the candidates to take part in a 30-minute interview to tell us why they think they deserve your vote. Up next is Julie Edge, who's standing in Onchan. She's been speaking to Alex Brindley. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Rob Callister, Gabriella Corkish, Rachel Glover, Peter Karran and Oliver Lockwood.

next week we'll have a brand new House of Keys. To help you decide who should fill it, we've invited all the candidates to take part in a 30-minute interview. Up next is Claire Christian, who's standing in Douglas South. She's been speaking to Beth Espey. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Dean Bolton, Arwid Hall, Livia Lenarduzzi and Sarah Maltby. In her interview, Ms Christian mentions Devon Watson, who is standing for election in Douglas Central. Also standing in that constituency are Sharon Lee Bridgens, Ann Corlett, George Hargreaves, Andrea Krüger, Creena Mason, Peter Shimmin and Chris Thomas.

The Live Constituency Debate with the candidates from Onchan hosted by Beth Espey, Alex Brindley and Phil Gawne. The candidates are Rob Callister, Gabriella Corkish, Julie Edge, Dr Rachel Glover, Peter Karran and Oliver Lockwood.

In just a couple of days, you get to decide who you want to represent you in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you make up your mind, we've invited all the candidates to take part in a 30-minute interview to tell us why they think they deserve your vote. Up next is Creena Mason, who's standing in Douglas Central. She's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Sharon Lee Bridgens, Ann Corlett, George Hargreaves, Andrea Krüger, Peter Shimmin, Chris Thomas and Devon Watson.

Next week we'll have a brand new House of Keys. To help you decide who should fill it, we've invited all the candidates to take part in a 30-minute interview. Up next is Gary Chambers who's standing in Rushen. He's been speaking to Amy Griffiths. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Michael Crowe, Michelle Haywood, Mark Kemp, Helen Sheppard, Laurence Vaughan-Williams and Simon Williams.

The Live Constituency Debate with the candidates from Middle hosted by Beth Espey, Alex Brindley and Phil Gawne. The candidates are Alf Caine, James Cochrane, Jason Moore, Jane Poole-Wilson, Andre Risha, Simon Sinclair and Graham Taylor.

It's not long now until you get to decide who you think should have a seat in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you get to know the candidates, we've offered them all the chance to take part in a 30 minute interview to find out more about them. Up next is George Hargreaves, who's standing in Douglas Central. He's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Sharon Lee Bridgens, Ann Corlett, Andrea Krüger, Creena Mason, Peter Shimmin, Chris Thomas and Devon Watson.

As polling day creeps ever closer, we've invited all the candidates to take part in a 30-minute interview to tell us about themselves and why they think they'd be a good MHK. Up next is Jason Cheetham, who's standing in Douglas North. He's been speaking to John Moss. Also standing in the constituency are David Ashford, Damian Ciappelli, Denis Staunton, Janet Thommeny, Peter Washington and Hugo Yates.

It's almost time for you to decide who you think deserves a seat in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you get to know the candidates, we've offered them all the chance to take part in a 30 minute interview to find out more about them. Up next is Janet Thommeny, who's standing in Douglas North. She's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are David Ashford, Jason Cheetham, Damian Ciappelli, Denis Staunton, Peter Washington and Hugo Yates.

It's almost time for you to decide who you think deserves a seat in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you get to know the candidates, we've offered them all the chance to take part in a 30 minute interview to find out more about them. Up next is Damian Ciappelli, who's standing in Douglas North. He's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are David Ashford, Jason Cheetham, Denis Staunton, Janet Thommeny, Peter Washington and Hugo Yates.

The Live Constituency Debate with the candidates from Glenfaba and Peel hosted by Beth Espey, Alex Brindley and Phil Gawne. The candidates are Katryna Baptiste, Mark Cleator, Colleen Dale- Beeton, Daniel Davison, James Hampton, Ray Harmer, Alex Periam and Geoff Pugh .

In exactly a fortnight, you'll have the chance to decide who should represent you in the House of Keys. And to help you make up your mind, we're inviting all the candidates to take part in a 30 minute interview so we can find out who they are, why they're standing, and why they think they're the best person for the job. Up next is Richard Henthorn, who's standing in Garff. He's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency on Thursday 24 September are Anthony Allen, Sean Bostrom, Daphne Caine, Aishlinn Creer, Nigel Dunmore, Vicki Hewison, Peter Kermeen and Martyn Perkins.

Two weeks today, you get to decide who you want to represent you in the House of Keys for the next five years. To help you make up your mind, we've invited all the candidates to take part in a 30-minute interview to tell us why they think they deserve your vote. Up next is Geoffrey Pugh, who's standing in Glenfaba and Peel. He's been speaking to Phil Gawne. Also standing in the constituency are Katryna Baptist, Mark Cleator, Colleen Dale-Beeton, Daniel Davison, James Hampton, Ray Harmer and Alex Perriam.