William Shimmins
Member of the House of Keys
for Middle
In office
September 2021 – August 2026
MonarchElizabeth II
Personal details
Born1965
Scotland
NationalityBritish
Political partyIndependent
Children2
EducationGlasgow College of Commerce

William 'Bill' Shimmins is a Scottish-born Manx politician. He represented the constituency of Middle in the House of Keys until 2021, having been first elected in 2016.[1]

Early life

Shimmins was born in Scotland in 1965 and educated at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh, Clydebank Technical College and the Glasgow College of Commerce.

Career

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Shimmins worked as a banker in the UK. He spent time with both Clydesdale and Yorkshire bank before becoming Managing Director of Northern Bank (Isle of Man) Limited in 2002.

In April 2006, Shimmins joined the NatWest group and from 2011 to 2016 served as Managing Director of Isle of Man Bank Limited and Island Director of RBS International.

Politics

In 2016, Shimmins was elected to the House of Keys for the constituency of Middle along with incumbent Minister Howard Quayle.[2] He received 33.5% of the vote.[3]

In his 2016 manifesto, Shimmins stated that his priorities were economic growth, reducing the public pension deficit, reducing the size and scope of government and maintaining quality of life for residents.[4]

He has also supported the development of brownfield sites, development of active travel routes and the introduction of a 5p plastic bag charge.[5]

Shimmins indicated that he does not support independence for the Isle of Man and does not believe that the Chief Minister should be popularly elected.[5]

Since his election Shimmins has served as a political Member for the Isle of Man Treasury with responsibility for the General Registry, Investment Management, Asset Management and the Audit (Consultative) Committee.[6]

Known as an astute speaker in Tynwald, Mr Shimmins has served as Chairman of the Select Committee on Free Train and Tram Travel (Petition for Redress) 2016–2017, Member of the Select Committee of Tynwald on Financing of Infrastructure Schemes and Projects 2018–July 2018, Chairman of the Select Committee of Tynwald on Development of Unoccupied Urban Sites April 2018–November 2018, Member of the House of Keys Committee on the Education Bill 2020 2020–2021.[7]

Election results

2016

2016 Manx General Election: Middle[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Bill Shimmins 1357 33.54%
Independent Howard Quayle 1205 29.78%
Independent Paul Craine 1090 26.94%
Independent WIlliam Bowers 394 9.74%
Total valid votes 4046
Rejected ballots 11 0.48%
Registered electors 4,445
Turnout 2307 51.9%

Personal life

Shimmins lives in Glen Vine and is married to Alison, a primary school teacher. They have two adult children. [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Tynwald - Parliament of the Isle of Man - SHIMMINS William Catto, MHK". www.tynwald.org.im. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  2. ↑ "General Election 2016: Live results". Manx Radio. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "General Election 2016: Live results". Manx Radio. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. ↑ Shimmins, Bill (2016). "Bill Shimmins - Middle Political Questions 2016" (PDF). Aiircdn. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 "Bill Shimmins Electoral Manifesto" (PDF). Isle of Man Government website.
  6. ↑ "Isle of Man Government - Treasury Minister and Members". www.gov.im. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  7. ↑ "Tynwald - Parliament of the Isle of Man - SHIMMINS William Catto, MHK". www.tynwald.org.im. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "2016 General Election - Constituency Results" (PDF). Isle of Man Government website.
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