Speaker welcomes more diversity in Manx politics

The newly elected Speaker of the House of Keys has welcomed an era of "greater diversity" in Manx politics.

Juan Watterson made the statement after he was unanimously elected in the first sitting of the new House of Keys yesterday. 

In last week's general election Manx political history was made after a record number of 10 women were elected across eight constituencies in the island.

Two constituencies now have an all-female line up with Sarah Maltby and Claire Christian being elected in Douglas South and Joney Faragher and Clare Barber gaining support in Douglas East.

Mr Watterson said his next job as Speaker is to make sure all new members "get the confidence to make their voices heard".

"It's a steep learning curve, but I know that the current crop are up for it", continued Mr Watterson.