Steve Rodan Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Steve Rodan
Office:President of Tynwald
Honorific-Suffix: MLC
Predecessor:Clare Christian
Successor:Laurence Skelly
Term Start:19 July 2016
Termend:20 July 2021
Office2:Speaker of the House of Keys
Termstart2:16 December 2006
Termend2:18 July 2016
Predecessor2:Tony Brown
Successor2:Juan Watterson
Office3:Minister of Health and Social Security
Termstart3:30 June 2004
Termend3:15 December 2006
Predecessor3:Edgar Mann
Successor3:David Anderson
Office4:Minister of Education
Termstart4:12 May 1999
Termend4:30 June 2004
Predecessor4:Clare Christian
Successor4:Eddie Teare
Office5:Member of the House of Keys for Garff
Termstart5:4 May 1995
Termend5:19 July 2016
Predecessor5:Edgar Mann
Successor5:Daphne Caine and Martin Perkins
Birth Date:19 April 1954
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Nationality:British
Party:Independent
Spouse:Ana Torres
(m. 1977–present)
Children:2 daughters
Profession:Politician
Lieutenant Governor:Richard Gozney

Stephen Charles Rodan MLC (born 19 April 1954[1]) is a Manx politician who served as the President of Tynwald from 2016 to 2021 and is a former Minister of the Isle of Man Government and former MHK for the constituency of Garff. He was first elected to the seat in a by-election in 1995.

He has been Isle of Man County Chairman of the Royal British Legion since 2012.

Early life and career

Born on 19 April 1954 in Glasgow to Robert W. Rodan and Betty Rodan (née Turner), he is a qualified pharmacist.

Rodan was educated at the High School of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, before graduating from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, with a BSc (Hons) in pharmacy.

After graduating, in 1978, Rodan began practising as a pharmacist in Elgin, Morayshire. In 1980, he moved to Bermuda and worked as a pharmacy manager until moving to the Isle of Man.

Since 1987 Rodan has resided in Laxey, the most populated village in Garff, where he is the proprietor of a pharmacy. Politically he is a liberal, having chaired both the Heriot-Watt University Liberal Club and Scottish Young Liberals. He was also a Member of the National Executive of the Scottish Liberal Party. He stood for the House of Commons in 1979 in the constituency of Moray and Nairn, but was defeated by the Conservative Alexander Pollock.

Rodan was first elected as Member of the House of Keys for Garff in 1995, and re-elected in 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011.

In 2006, Rodan, then Minister of Health and Social Security, was instrumental in enfranchising 16 and 17 year olds when he moved a successful amendment to Clause 3 of the Registration of Electors Bill, a piece of legislation intended to provide for the rolling registration of electors, resulting in the lowering of the voting age.

Rodan stood for Chief Minister of the Isle of Man following the November 2006 elections, but failed to gain the necessary support in round one. He then stood for Speaker and defeated David Cannan and Quintin Gill.

Rodan was elected as President of Tynwald on 19 June 2016 for a period of five years. Rodan presided over his final Tynwald Day on July 5, 2021, prior to standing down from the post. He was replaced as President of Tynwald by Laurence Skelly.

Rodan was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to the Isle of Man.

Personal life

Rodan has been married to Ana (née Ballesteros Torres) since 1977; they have two children together.

Government positions

Other posts

Publications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rodan, Stephen Charles. www.tynwald.og.im. 12 November 2011.
  2. Web site: Steve Rodan is new President - Isle of Man Today . https://archive.today/20161026121146/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/steve-rodan-is-new-president-1-8021589. dead. 26 October 2016. Isle of Man Newspapers. 19 July 2016. 8 August 2016.