Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK admits he ‘could well be boring’ but says people would prefer the man responsible for the Budget to be just that.
All eyes were on Mr Teare last week as he presented his fourth annual Budget.
The man known as ‘Steady Eddie’ is in no rush to change this impression of himself.
Shortly after addressing 230 business people at the Junior Chamber of Commerce Budget Breakfast, sponsored by Barclays, at the Palace Hotel, Douglas, he told Business News: ‘I think people would prefer somebody who is steady [rather] than volatile.
‘It’s, I would suggest, but then I would say this wouldn’t I, that people like a degree of certainty and if they think you’re steady it gives them a bit more confidence.
‘OK, I could well be boring and I can see that but you wouldn’t want your Treasury Minister to be a bit of a volatile character I would suggest.’
Despite his calm, assured appearance Mr Teare, who used to work for Isle of Man Bank admitted: ‘I may appear relaxed but I have clammy hands and a tight stomach. If you don’t get that adrenaline buzz you will fall flat on your face so it’s not easy with the pressures you are under.’
Asked if he could expect to be presenting a fifth Budget next year he said: ‘That’s in the gift of the Chief Minister.’
The Ayre MHK also attended another Budget breakfast organised by Lloyds on Friday as well as the Tynwald sitting and chairing a Council of Ministers meeting in the absence of Chief Minister Allan Bell who has been away unwell.