Bid to remove bishop's vote takes step forward

Lawrie Hooper said the bill would result in "subtle" changes to voting

Politicians have progressed a bill to remove the bishop's vote from Tynwald, despite the move being branded "bizarre" by the chief minister.

The Constitution Bill 2023, brought forward by Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper, passed its clauses stage in the House of Keys on Tuesday.

Alfred Cannan said the move would create a "democratic deficit" by allowing one person to "turn up and influence voting" without casting a vote themselves.

But Mr Hooper argued his private member's bill would result in "subtle changes" to the results of votes in Tynwald.

The Bishop of Sodor and Man automatically has a seat in the upper chamber of the Manx parliament, which includes the right to vote.

Mr Hooper said the removal of that right would "slightly strengthen" the power of backbenchers in a vote against the government, and "the hand of the House of Keys" when set against the Legislative Council.

In March, the results of a consultation found public opinion was narrowly in favour of removing the bishop's right to vote.

'Years of history'

Mr Cannan said the "completely and utterly flawed" legislation would "remove hundreds of years of history" and "change democracy with no accountability".

However, Mr Hooper said that the Attorney General did not have a vote but contributes to debates, non-politician were occasionally asked to speak at the bar occasionally, and the views of MHKs were influenced by members of the public.

An amendment by Chris Thomas MHK that would have seen the island's governor seek the advice of the President of Tynwald and the General Synod of the Church of England before the measures came into operation was not backed by members.

Mr Hooper described it as "a clear attempt" to stop the bill coming into force.