Bid to remove of bishop's vote moves step forward

The clauses of the Constitution Bill 2023 will next be considered by MLCs

Moves to remove the bishop's vote in Tynwald has been progressed by members of the Legislative Council.

Under the Constitution Bill 2023, a private members bill guided through the House of Keys by Lawrie Hooper MHK, the island's bishop would lose the right to vote in parliament.

Last month, the Venerable Patricia Hillas was appointed successor in the post to the Right Reverend Peter Eagles, who retired in October.

Under the current laws, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man has an automatic seat on the Legislative Council and the right to vote in both the Council and Tynwald.

'Accountability'

During the sitting several MLCs voiced concerns about removing the vote, with Bill Henderson MLC arguing continuous discussion on the matter in recent years was a "waste of time and money".

He said the role of the Bishop in Tynwald added "uniqueness to our parliament" and the island was "in real danger of reducing" that.

Diane Kelsey MLC said removing the vote but allowing the bishop to continue attending and speaking in Tynwald and Legislative Council would mean the post holder would have "influence" but would not be "held accountable" with a vote.

The "unintended consequences" of removing the bishop's vote had not been "properly explored", she added.

Paul Craine MLC said while he would support the progression of the bill at the principles stage, he was concerned that removing the bishop's vote "immediately" after the appointment of a female Bishop could lead to "reputational damage".

But Kerry Sharpe MLC said that she thought in principle it was "undemocratic" to allow someone to vote who was "not elected", but said that it was "very useful to hear the voice" of someone that was not in politics.

Tanya August-Hanson MLC, who is guiding the bill through the upper chamber of the Manx parliament, said it was important the bill was treated "in the same fashion as any other legislation" stage by stage.

"I leave it in your hands as to how you want me to steer this bill in the branch," she added.