Tynwald 'shocked and saddened' by death of MHK

Tributes have been paid to House of Keys member John Wannenburgh, who has died at the age of 61.

In a message to the Manx parliament, President of Tynwald Juan Watterson said the Douglas North MHK had "passed away peacefully last night in his sleep".

Elected to represent Douglas North at the 2021 House of Keys general election, he was appointed chairman of the Office of Fair Trading before moving to become chairman of Manx Utilities in 2023.

Watterson said he was "shocked and saddened" by the death of the father of three, who he described as an "excellent ambassador" for the island through his work with the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

He also served on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa), and was a member of Tynwald's Economic Policy Review Committee.

Born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, he grew up in South Africa, later moving to the island where he studied at the Isle of Man Business School.

Before entering politics, Wannenburgh ran the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club, which invited many guest speakers to the island, raising more than £250,000 for charity.

Watterson said he had been "relishing the prospect" of the 2026 House of Keys general election "as an opportunity to promote the work he had done".

"I am sure that Tynwald colleagues will be as shocked and saddened as I am to learn that our friend and colleague John Wannenburgh MHK passed away peacefully last night in his sleep," he said.

"John took his politics seriously, and prided himself on being straight talking but was also the life and soul of any party, with great stories of the celebrities from all walks of life that he had got to know.

"He leaves behind his wife, Lisa, and his three boys.

"I know he will be a much-missed friend and colleague."

Defa Minister Clare Barber said she had "the privilege of knowing John as a colleague, friend and all-round incredible person" who had had "a positive impact to all who worked with him".

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said Wannenburgh's death was "a significant loss to our island".

"He served the people of the Isle of Man with commitment, integrity and a genuine sense of public duty," he said.

"He was widely respected for his contribution to public life, particularly as member for Douglas North where he worked as a steadfast advocate for his constituents.

"John always listened, offered support and worked to improve the lives of those he served."

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