Panel to examine future of Isle of Man bishops’ vote

Three members of the Isle of Man’s upper house will examine the implications of the Bishop of Tynwald being stripped of his right to vote.

Currently, the Bishop of Sodor and Man automatically has a 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 questions and the general public.

Mr Henderson, who proposed the matter 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 suppressing the bishop’s vote.

Local MP Diane Kelsey expressed concerns that the process could be prolonged, particularly as the summer break approaches.

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

The committee agreed to report “as soon as possible”; the bill will then be examined 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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