Chris Thomas takes the top job with 13 years of results behind him. In Part 1 of our profile, Expose.News looked at his early career, and in Part 2 at his political rise. Part 3 set out his plans. Today, in Part 4, we look at what he has delivered on policies and assets that might be termed ‘intangibles.’ Tomorrow, we’ll turn to the bricks ‘n’ mortar and the big ticket building projects.
Writing the plan for government
At the hustings for the top job – which he went on to win – Chris Thomas described his record as ‘indisputable, undeniable’. Here is what that list of political achievements contains.
As Minister for Policy and Reform from 2016, Thomas led the drafting of the Programme for Government, the five year plan for Howard Quayle’s administration.
The Douglas Central MHK called the initiative ‘a concerted attempt by ministers to banish so-called silo thinking for good’.
Rates reform, new area plans, TV licence talks with the BBC and a new regulatory agreement with Manx Gas were also part of his brief.
When the two men parted ways in 2020, Mr Quayle still praised his work on the Programme for Government, and his attention to detail in drafting legislation.
Tackling the pensions gap
Public sector pensions, one of the island’s largest long term liabilities, were another priority.
In March 2019, Tynwald agreed a plan to close the legacy funding gap, with costs reassessed every three years. Thomas said the situation was ‘improving’.
Opening up Tynwald
Rule changes he helped bring in, now mean the Keys vote for Chief Minister, is held in public.
The motion that led to the Lisvane Report, an outside review of how Tynwald works, was also driven by Thomas, who seems to have a knack for political process.
Cold, hunger and homelessness
In 2019, Thomas led the Council of Ministers’ work on cold, hunger and homelessness, producing a report to guide government policy.
The aim was to ‘ensure people don’t have to choose between food and fuel over the winter’.
Next on his list was a full survey of housing quality and supply. ‘Much more needs to be done by government,’ he said.
From 2021, he chaired the government’s new Housing and Communities Board.
Treasury: money back in pockets
Chris Thomas’ most recent post produced his clearest results.
Days after he became Treasury Minister in January 2026, the government replaced a planned 9.9% minimum wage rise with a 5% increase, the slower approach he had made his priority.
The February Budget raised the personal tax allowance from £14,750 to £17,000. The budget also added £45m to health funding, and set a path to reduce reliance on reserves.
According to Thomas, the measures would help ‘nearly everybody’. Capital gains and wealth taxes were ruled out as a poor fit with the island’s tax tradition.
Beyond the chamber
Outside government, Thomas chaired Culture Vannin from 2016 to 2026 and the United Nations Association of the Isle of Man from 2013 to 2023.
The Isle of Man Post Office was under his chairmanship in 2021 and 2022, and he also served as the island’s Children’s Champion.
Tomorrow, in the next part of our series, we look at his year in charge of the Department of Infrastructure, and the big projects on his watch.
