MHKs pass law to remove bishop's political vote

Legislation to remove Tynwald voting rights from the Isle of Man's bishop has been passed.

While the Constitution Bill 2023 retains the bishop's seat in the Manx parliament, voting rights will be removed.

Members of the House of Keys approved changes to the proposed legislation that would delay the removal until the current bishop, the Right Reverend Patrica Hillas, leaves office.

The change was approved despite an attempt to have consideration of the bill adjourned for the remainder of the current House of Keys' term.

Appointed to the post by the Church of England, the Bishop of Sodor and Man currently automatically has a seat on the Legislative Council and plays a full role in the scrutiny of legislation and Tynwald debates.

Rob Callister argued there was uncertainty over the knock-on effects of the change on the future of the diocese and called for his fellow MHKs to put making a decision over the change on hold.

That move would have allowed it to "fall" when the House of Keys was dissolved in August ahead of September's general election.

However, that was voted down, as was an additional amendment by Chris Thomas that would have seen the timing of the removal of the vote placed in the hands of the lieutenant governor, with the need for Tynwald approval.

MHKs instead backed an amendment by the Legislative Council for the vote to be removed on either the day after the current bishop leaves office, or five years after Royal Assent is granted – whichever was the earliest.

During the debate, which lasted more than two hours, some politicians expressed concerns that the removal of the vote could ultimately lead to the loss of the island's distinct diocese.

Fears were also expressed that the change would reduce the number of voting MLCs to eight, potentially increasing the need for a casting vote by the President to Tynwald, which Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said was akin to "replacing a democratic deficit with a democratic deficit".

However, Lawrie Hooper – who brought the private member's bill forward – said, as the president would ordinarily cast their vote to reflect the decision of the House of Keys, that would make it arguably more democratic rather than less.

And while the House of Keys supported celebrating the "unique and important history" of the Bishop of Sodor and Man, and supporting the continuation of a separate diocese, members ultimately voted to remove the political vote by 18 members to six.

The Constitution Bill must now be signed by at least 13 MHKs and 5 MLCs ahead of being sent for Royal Assent.

It will then need to be promulgated – read out in English and Manx – on Tynwald Hill at the open-air sitting of the parliament, held in St John's in July each year, within 18 months of Royal Assent being granted.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.