Mec Vannin

{{Politics of the Isle of Man}}

Mec Vannin was formed in 1962 and has held minuted meetings since February 1964.{{Cite web | url=http://mecvannin.im/about.php |title = About Mec Vannin}}

{{lang|gv|Mec Vannin}}'s growth can be considered to be directly parallel to the Isle of Man's status as a tax haven.[https://archive.today/20120527065720/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mec_vannin/message/81 Yahoo! Groups] In particular, they have campaigned against immigration to the island, particularly from England. This featured in their 2008 platform[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721145524/http://www.mecvannin.im/pabyr/yps35.pdf Immigration, who's kidding who?] and policy:

:"In a small island nation such as ours, in default of policies to control the growth of the finance sector, policies to control the size of the population are essential for the achievement of economic, ecological and cultural sustainability. The rapid and unnatural population increase, due to an open door policy on immigration, has increased the burden on the island's infrastructure and environment whilst eroding the fabric of community life. As a result, Mec Vannin believes the immediate introduction of immigration controls to be a priority."[http://www.mecvannin.im/mvpolicy.html Mec Vannin Policy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123121411/http://www.mecvannin.im/mvpolicy.html |date=2008-01-23 }}

The party stated in the 1980s that it was concerned with "the prospects of our survival as a nation, as a distinct Celtic community in its own right and with its own identity and independence".{{cite book |title=The Isle of Man Celebrating a Sense of Place |date=1990 |publisher=Liverpool University Press |page=149}}

In the 1976 election Mec Vannin put up ten candidates.{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xLhClgF30w4C&q=mec+vannin&pg=PA227 |title = Offshore Island Politics: The Constitutional and Political Development of the Isle of Man in the Twentieth Century|isbn = 9780853237877|last1 = Kermode|first1 = D. G.|year = 2001 |page=313| publisher=Liverpool University Press }} Only one was successful though, Peter Craine. He remains the only person to have been a {{lang|gv|Mec Vannin}} Member of the House of Keys (MHK), although several ex-members have gone on to become MHKs, such as Treasury Minister Allan Bell, Phil Gawne and Hazel Hannan. Peter Craine subsequently left the party, joining the short-lived breakaway Manx National Party which was formed in 1977 and disbanded in 1981.

They participated in the 1981 election also, in the Peel constituency.

Mec Vannin's environmentalist policies include opposition to overuse of fossil fuels. They support further decentralisation of power within the island, to local councils.

Other policies include:

• Reforestation - by native deciduous species
• Fishing as "a viable part of the economy", with stronger fisheries protection.
• Farming self-sufficiency for the Isle of Man.
• Revitalisation of Manx tourism
• A Manx university
• A socialised health service
• Separate Manx nationality:
• : "Manx nationality must be defined by legislation and a Manx passport introduced, with Manx nationality being first citizenship. Whilst all residents would be eligible for Manx citizenship upon the introduction of legislation, subsequent new residents could only become citizens after due process of naturalisation. Only Manx citizens would be eligible to vote or to stand for representative public office."
• On customs union:
• : "The right to determine indirect taxation, including VAT. This necessitates the cessation of the Customs and Excise Agreement."{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Mec Vannin is also highly critical of the Manx legal and policing systems, as they currently{{when|date=July 2020}} stand.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Distributed at least twice a year since 1991, {{lang|gv|Yn Pabyr Seyr}} The Free Paper is the newsletter of {{lang|gv|Mec Vannin}}, publicising their policies, views and comments. The archive of back-issues available on line is being updated on an ongoing basis. Its name means "The Free Paper" in Manx,{{cite web |url=http://homepages.enterprise.net/kelly/LIST/DICTIONARY/dict2/S.html |title=Archived copy |website=homepages.enterprise.net |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010702032734/http://homepages.enterprise.net/kelly/LIST/DICTIONARY/dict2/S.html |archive-date=2 July 2001 |url-status=dead}} but the majority of content is in English.

{{unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}

• President: Bernard Moffatt
• Chairman: Mark Kermode
• Secretary: Cristl Jerry
• Treasurer: Paul Kelly
• International Relations Officer: Allen Moore

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.mecvannin.im {{lang|gv|Mec Vannin}} website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120209181627/http://www.mecvannin.im/psmenu.html {{lang|gv|Yn Pabyr Seyr}} online]
• [http://www.mecvannin.im/archive/europe.html Options for future relations with European Union]

{{Manx political parties}}

Category:Left-wing nationalist parties

Category:Manx nationalist parties

Category:Republican parties

Category:Republicanism in Europe

Category:Separatism in the Isle of Man

Category:Secessionist organizations in Europe

Category:Pro-independence parties

Category:Republicanism in the Isle of Man

Category:Manx words and phrases

Category:1962 establishments in the Isle of Man

Category:Political parties established in 1962