Public opinion sought on bishop's voting rights

The bishop sits on the Legislative Council

People have been asked to share their views on whether the bishop should have the right to vote in Tynwald.

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper has launched a consultation on his private members bill to remove the right from the role.

The Constitution Bill 2023's progress through the House of Keys was halted in December for views to be canvassed.

Mr Hooper said he hoped "as many different people as possible" would take part to make it "meaningful".

In the survey's introduction Mr Hooper explained that the attorney general and bishop are the only members of the Legislative Council who are not elected to the positions by the public or MHKs.

He said that while they both could contribute in debates, only the bishop had the right to vote, which he described as "undemocratic".

'A representative perspective'

Some MHKs have previously raised concerns the removal of the vote could risk losing the island's separate diocese of Sodor and Man altogether.

Politicians have called for clarity from the Church of England as to what impact the move would have on its future.

Mr Hooper said: "It would help I think if they clarified their position on what would happen."

"It would probably help people who are wavering or who are concerned about it."

The bishop sits in Tynwald's revising chamber, the Legislative Council

Mr Hooper said contributions to the survey had been restricted to Manx residents only.

"It's our country, it's our parliament, it should be up to us collectively as an island how that's functioning and how we're represented," he said.

"My plea is for as many people as possible to respond so that we can be more certain that it is a representative perspective," he added.

The consultation will be open online until 29 February, with paper copies available from the Clerk of Tynwald's Office.