In recent weeks, various people have asked if I would stand for the Legislative Council. My answer is the same as it was in 2021: No!

I think it would be indecent for any person who was unsuccessful in obtaining the consent of the public to serve as a politician to subsequently try to get politicians to install them in the Legislative Council without some material change.

Unfortunately, the House of Keys didn’t follow my advice last time around, and instead, installed a failed politician who was repeatedly rejected by the public. I think that this sort of malarkey is a big part of the reason that the public have such little faith in politicians: They don’t listen to the public about who should serve in office.

If someone has had their application to serve in Tynwald declined by the public, they certainly should not go through the back door of getting politicians to install them in the Legislative Council without some meaningful new development.

Michael Josem is a long-term consumer advocate, most prominently as a global leader in combating fraud in the online gambling industry. He was in part the inspiration for the 20th Century Fox Movie, Runner Runner, starring Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake.

Josem has over a decade of experience as a senior business leader working across various high-tech and online industries, and takes action to build a better community. His primary volunteer roles include service for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and Graih, the homelessness charity.