Panel to examine future of Manx bishop vote

Three members of the senior branch of the Isle of Man parliament will examine the consequences of disenfranchising the Bishop of Tynwald.

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

Under the Constitution Bill 2023, the bishop would retain his seat on the council but lose his vote – a move that the bill’s sponsor, Lawrie Hooper, said 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 general public.

Mr Henderson, who suggested the issue be explored further, said it gave members “a chance to look at the practicalities of the situation”.

However, he has already pointed out that the issue has been revisited too many times and that a lot of money has been spent on research into removing the bishop’s vote.

MP Diane Kelsey expressed concerns about the process being extended, particularly with the summer recess approaching.

Tania August-Hanson said she didn’t believe a committee “would be able to come up with anything new.”

However, MLC Paul Craine supported the idea.

He said it would allow the committee to explore issues such as what might happen if the Legislative Council vote reached a “deadlock”, given that removing the bishop’s vote would leave the upper house with an even number of voting members.

The committee agreed to report back “as soon as possible”; the bill will then be considered twice more by the upper house.

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

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