Council of Ministers of the Isle of Man


The Council of Ministers is the principal executive organ of the Isle of Man Government. Its role is similar to, though not identical with, that of the Cabinet in the United Kingdom. Until 1990, its title was the Executive Council.
The Executive Council, chaired by the Lieutenant Governor and including members of Tynwald, was established in 1949, and gradually thereafter became the effective government of the Island. The Lieutenant Governor ceased to chair the Executive Council in 1980, being replaced by a chairman elected by Tynwald, and the Council was reconstituted in 1985 to include the chairmen of the eight principal boards of Tynwald; in 1986, they were given the title Minister and the chairman was styled Chief Minister. In 1990, the Council was renamed the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers consists of the Chief Minister and not more than nine ministers. The Chief Minister must be a Member of the House of Keys and ministers must be members of Tynwald. Originally, the Chief Minister was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the nomination of Tynwald. On 20 March 2018 this changed so that the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the nomination of and from among the members of House of Keys, as it is the directly elected chamber. Ministers are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, acting on the advice of and with the concurrence of the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister assigns a minister to each department of the Isle of Man Government. The Council of Ministers must command the confidence of 16 members of the House of Keys.

Current membership

Structure of the Council of Ministers effective from 1 April 2014

Structure of the Council of Ministers from 1 April 2010 - 31 March 2014

Structure of the Executive Council / Council of Ministers from 16 December 1986 – 31 March 2010