Tony Brown (Manx politician) explained

Tony Brown
Office:Chief Minister of the Isle of Man
Governor:Paul Haddacks
Adam Wood
Term Start:14 December 2006
Term End:11 October 2011
Predecessor:Donald Gelling
Successor:Allan Bell
Birth Name:James Anthony Brown
Birth Date:5 January 1950
Birth Place: Castletown, Isle of Man
Party:Independent
Spouse:Rachel Smith (m. 1979)
Children:1 son, 1 daughter
Profession:Politician, electrician, businessman

James Anthony Brown OBE (born 5 January 1950[1]) is a Manx politician, former businessman and electrician who was the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man from 2006 until October 2011, when he stepped down from office following his decision to retire.[2]

Early life and career

Born on 5 January 1950, Brown was educated at Victoria Road Primary, Castletown and Castle Rushen High School and has since been an electrician, being the proprietor of Tony Brown Electrics in Castletown until its closure in 2010. He was elected as a member of Castletown Commissioners in 1976, becoming chairman in 1980 before being elected as the Castletown MHK in 1981 at his first attempt. In 2000, he was defeated in his attempt to become Speaker of the House of Keys by David Cannan but instead became the Deputy Speaker. Following the 2001 General Election, he was elected Speaker and in January 2002, Deputy President of Tynwald.

He was re-elected in November 2006 as MHK, beating Roy Redmayne by 915 votes to 335. He was again elected Speaker of the House of Keys after the general election in 2006. There was a great deal of rumour that he might run for Chief Minister, but when nominations were put forward his name was not on the list. Then followed an unsuccessful round of voting with neither Steve Rodan, John Shimmin nor David Cannan being elected. Nominations then reopened, with Tony Brown being the only candidate put forward. His nomination was confirmed by Tynwald on Thursday, 14 December 2006 receiving 27 votes and the Lieutenant Governor appointed him Chief Minister later in the day. He then resigned the Speakership of the House of Keys as required by law.

Brown was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for public and political service.

Personal life

Brown has been married to Rachel (née Smith) since 1979, they have 2 children together and live in Brown's hometown of Castletown.

Governmental positions

Brown Council

OfficeNameTerm
Chief MinisterTony Brown14 December 2006 – 11 October 2011
Minister for the TreasuryAllan Bell6 December 2001 – 31 March 2010
Annie Craine1 April 2010 – October 2011
Minister for Home AffairsMartyn Quayle15 December 2006 – 11 August 2008
11 August 2008 – October 2011
Minister for Health and Social Security / Minister for HealthEddie Teare15 December 2006 – 31 March 2010
David Anderson1 April 2010 – October 2011
Minister for Education / Minister for Education and ChildrenAnnie Craine15 December 2006 – 31 March 2010
Eddie Teare1 April 2010 – October 2011
Minister for Trade and IndustryDavid Cretney15 December 2006 – 31 March 2010
Minister of Economic DevelopmentAllan Bell1 April 2010 – October 2011
Minister for Tourism and LeisureAdrian Earnshaw15 December 2006 – 11 August 2008
Martyn Quayle11 August 2008 – 31 March 2010
Minister for TransportDavid Anderson15 December 2006 – 31 March 2010
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryPhil Gawne1 August 2005 – 31 March 2010
Minister for Local Government and the EnvironmentJohn Shimmin15 December 2006 – 31 March 2010
Minister for Community, Culture and LeisureDavid Cretney1 April 2010 – October 2011
Minister for InfrastructurePhil Gawne1 April 2010 – October 2011
Minister for Environment, Food and AgricultureJohn Shimmin1 April 2010 – October 2011
Minister for Social CareMartyn Quayle1 April 2010 – October 2011

Notes and References

  1. http://www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald/biographies/brown-ja.pdf James Anthony Brown at Tynwlad.org.im
  2. News: Isle of Man chief minister Tony Brown to retire. BBC News. 25 July 2011.