Bid for citizens jury to consider bishop's vote

The Constitution Bill, which is a private members' bill, would remove the bishop's vote in Tynwald

A bid is set to be made to create a citizens jury to consider the bishop's future role in Manx politics.

A private members' bill to remove the bishop's right to vote in Tynwald has been introduced in the House of Keys by Lawrie Hooper.

However Douglas Central member Chris Thomas wants a panel of 24 people to consider a number of elements relating to the potential change in law.

MHKs will vote on whether to approve Mr Thomas' amendment when the clauses of the Isle of Man Constitution Bill 2023 are debated.

The bill has passed through two readings in the House of Keys so far.

The Bishop of Sodor and Man automatically holds a seat in the Legislative Council and has voting rights in Tynwald.

'Expert evidence'

There have been several attempts to remove the rights in the past, the most recent in June.

Mr Thomas, who has previously voted against the private members bill, has called Mr Hooper's bid opportunistic and "mischievous", at a time when the island has no appointed bishop in post.

The Right Reverend Peter Eagles retired earlier this year, and the search for his successor is still underway.

Mr Thomas said the panel would "hear witnesses and expert evidence to deliberate and determine their recommendation on the implications and impact" of the bill.

"This system of engagement has been used in Jersey and in Ireland for this sort of matter and is particularly important here now given there has been no public consultation on this bill," he added.