Candidates standing for Rushen
BBCSeven candidates will be standing in the general election for the Rushen constituency.
Sitting at the far south of the Isle of Man, Rushen includes the seaside villages of Port Erin and Port St Mary, along with most of its namesake parish.
The constituency also includes the Calf of Man, an islet off the southern coast which is a designated nature reserve and bird observatory manned by two wardens.
Bordered by Arbory, Castletown and Malew and Glenfaba and Peel, it incorporates the local authority areas of Port Erin, Port St Mary and Rushen.
Although the area has a strong maritime heritage, as Victorian tourism expanded, the two ports evolved to become popular holiday destinations with Port Erin's seafront and promenade dominated by large hotels for several decades.
A striking feature of the coastline is Milner's Tower on Bradda Head in Port Erin, built to celebrate a major benefactor of the village, safe-maker William Milner.
Before the boundary changes of 2016, the constituency also took in the parish of Arbory.
As of October 2025, 5,836 people were registered to vote in the constituency. The Electoral Commission recorded 7,257 people living in the constituency in 2023.
The constituency will see at least one new representative as a result of the election after Juan Watterson, who had represented Rushen since 2006, was elected President of Tynwald.
Candidates
The BBC has invited all candidates to submit a minute manifesto in which they explain why they would be a good MHK and their three main priorities.
Gary Andrew Chambers, Liberal Vannin
GARY CHAMBERSMichael Howard Crowe, Independent
Occupation: Chartered accountant
Electoral history: Has not contested a House of Keys election before
Michelle Elena Kay Haywood, Independent
Occupation: Politician and company director
Electoral history: Elected MHK for Rushen in 2021
Mark Ian Kemp, Independent
Occupation: Clerk of Port St Mary Commissioners
Electoral history: Previously contested elections in 2016 and 2021 in Rushen
Helen Kate Sheppard, Independent
Occupation: School support worker
Electoral history: Has not contested a House of Keys election before
Arthur Laurence Vaughan-Williams, Independent
Occupation: Barrister and advocate
Electoral history: Has not contested a House of Keys election before (currently a member of Port St Mary Commissioners)
Simon David Williams, Independent
SIMON WILLIAMSOccupation: Tattooist
Electoral history: Has not contested a House of Keys election before
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