Tynwald rejects most Legislative Council reforms

Julie Edge MHK suggested a range of changes should be made to the process

The majority of of proposed reforms to Legislative Council election procedures have been rejected by Tynwald members.

Julie Edge MHK had suggested changes including MLCs serving for a maximum of two terms and not being permitted to take on roles in government departments.

She said her proposals would improve "transparency", but only one measure - which would see candidates declare their interests before elections - was backed.

Newly elected council member Gary Clueit described the motion as "flawed", and said the parliament had "far more urgent matters" to focus on, such as housing and health.

The Legislative Council is primarily a revising chamber for new laws made on the island and its members are voted in by the House of Keys.

Edge's motion also suggested candidates should need the support of at least 20 members of the public to be proposed and serving MLCs should be required to step down before seeking election to the House of Keys.

She said argued the proposals would bring the MLC election process "more closely in line with how an MHK has to be elected".

Public comment

During the two hour debate, Clueit said he believed MHK's workloads would increase "appreciably" if MLCs were not allowed to serve on government departments.

He also said any reduction of the duties of an MLC "would surely also lead to additional public comment and speculation" on the role and its basic annual salary of £71,659.

Fellow MLC Paul Craine asked why full use would not be made of the "wealth of qualifications, knowledge and extensive experience" of council members elected by MHKs

The parliament chose to throw out most of the suggested measures but agreed candidates should be required to declare their interests before a council election takes place.

Edge said she saw this move as "a big step forward and win for transparency".

The Clerk of Tynwald said the implementation of the change was now "a matter for the House of Keys Standing Orders Committee to consider".