On Saturday 25 November, the Isle of Man Green Party held its seventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) since its formation in 2016. This milestone represents the dawn of a new era for the Party, with Lamara Craine replacing Andrew Langan-Newton as Leader and Falk Horning replacing Andrew Bentley as Chair.
Lamara has been the Deputy Leader of the Isle of Man Green Party since 2019 and has a proven record of taking leadership on the important issues of our time and to benefit our community, including: -
Co-organising the ‘Elm Tree’ protest in 2021, involving a march of protest in St Marks against DEFA’s decision to grant approval to the felling of 25 mature elm trees.
Organising and leading a ‘Die In’ protest against climate change inaction at Tynwald Day in 2019.
Campaigning for her local community in Ramsey and being elected as a Ramsey Town Commissioner.
On her election to lead the Isle of Man Green Party, Lamara said:
“It’s an honour to be elected as Leader of the Party at our AGM. I appreciate the hard work and effort that our former Leader, and our former Chair, put in to make the Party the success it is today. Our organisation has an important role to play in the progress and development of the Isle of Man. I hope that I can help lead the party in such a way that it assists in bringing positive change, to be a leading example of how a nation can be ran for the benefit of all, and achieving our goal to make the island a better place to live.”
The Party thanked Andrew Bentley for his service as Chair of the Executive Committee for five and a half years. Andrew, a co-founder of the Party in 2016, ran the first successful Isle of Man Green Party election campaign in his election as Douglas Councillor in 2018. He has been a consistent presence of thoughtful and wise leadership in the Green Party, influencing change in our community. Most recently, Andrew has been instrumental in the conception and organisation of the North Quay local produce markets in Douglas, raising the profile of our diverse and exceptional local produce, and the fundamental issue of food sustainability.
Andrew Langan-Newton was also thanked for his service as Leader. Andrew was a co-founder of the Isle of Man Green Party in August 2016 and has been Leader for seven years, over a period where the Party campaigned in 12 election campaigns and elected five politicians in the Isle of Man. Andrew will continue as Secretary of the Executive Committee, supporting Lamara in her leadership of the Party.
Andrew Bentley is replaced as Chair by Falk Horning. Falk has been Secretary of the Party since 2019 and brings great knowledge, experience, and wisdom to the role of Chair as the Party.
Alongside Lamara, the new Executive Committee of the Isle of Man Green Party is:
• Chair, Falk Horning
• Treasurer, Tim Roberts
• Secretary, Andrew Langan-Newton