The Constitution Bill 2023, which will remove the political vote of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, has passed. Humanists UK welcomes this landmark development towards making Manx politics fair and inclusive, and calls for the House of Lords to review its automatic seats for 26 Church of England bishops.
What’s the situation now?
Right now, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, has an automatic seat in the Legislative Council, the Isle of Man’s upper chamber. The bishop can debate and (currently) vote on legislation in the Isle of Man.
The situation on the Isle of Man currently reflects that in the UK, where 26 bishops of the Church of England have automatic seats in the House of Lords. The bishops in the House of Lords regularly vote and contribute in debate while enjoying privileges over and above other peers. These include privileged speaking rights in the chamber (if a bishop stands to speak, all others are expected to stop speaking and sit down), and unique exemptions from the Code of Conduct.
What is changing?
The Constitution Bill 2023, a Private Members Bill brought forward by Lawrie Hooper MHK which passed yesterday, will remove the vote, but not the membership, of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. An amendment was passed that delays the removal of the vote until the current bishop leaves office or within five years of Royal Assent, whichever comes earlier.
The Bill now needs to be signed by Tynwald (the Isle of Man’s parliament) members ahead of being sent for Royal Assent. Within 18 months of Royal Assent it will need to be promulgated, meaning that it is read out in English and Manx on Tynwald Hill at the open-air sitting of the Parliament.
Humanists UK Director of Human Rights and Advocacy Richy Thompson commented:
‘This is an important moment for fairness and democratic representation in the Isle of Man. Removing the voting rights for the bishop sends a clear message: no religious representative should be given automatic voting rights within a legislature.
‘We hope this news brings fresh energy to addressing the same injustice in Westminster, where 26 Anglican bishops also enjoy reserved places and voting rights. In today’s modern and diverse society, this reform is increasingly needed.’