Panel to consider future of Manx bishop's vote

At present, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man has the right to vote in both the Legislative Council and Tynwald

Three members of the upper branch of the Manx parliament will consider the effects of stripping the bishop of their vote in Tynwald.

At present, 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.

Under the Constitution Bill 2023, the bishop would retain their council seat, but lose their vote - a move that proposer of the bill, Lawrie Hooper, has previously argued would make parliament "more democratically accountable".

MLCs Bill Henderson, Rob Mercer and Paul Craine will now consider the potential effects of the bill on parliamentary matters, and the wider public.

'Practicalities'

Mr Henderson, who proposed that the matter should be further explored, said it gives members "a chance to look at the practicalities of the situation".

However, he has previously highlighed that the matter has been revisited too many times and a lot of money spent on research into the removal of the bishop's vote.

MLC Diane Kelsey voiced concerns that the process would be prolonged, particularly with the summer recess approaching.

Tania August-Hanson said she did not believe a committee "would be able to bring anything new".

However MLC Paul Craine supported the idea.

He said it would enable the committee to explore issues such as what might happen if the Legislative Council vote finds itself at a "stalemate", given that the removal of the bishop's vote would leave the upper chamber with an even number of voting members.

The committee agreed to report back "as soon as practicable"; the legislation will then be considered twice more by the upper chamber.

Last month, the Venerable Patricia Hillas was appointed successor to the Right Reverend Peter Eagles, who retired from his role as Lord Bishop in October.