House of Keys
The House of Keys is the directly elected Branch of Tynwald. Originally a self-selecting body, it has been popularly elected since 1867. It has had a constant membership of twenty-four ‘Keys’ since about 1156, with a varying size and distribution of constituencies. The name is thought to come from the Manx for twenty-four, kiare-as-feed.
The House of Keys sits in public each week on a Tuesday from 10.00am, except on the third Tuesday of the month, and during recess periods. The sitting begins with up to an hour of Questions, followed by the principal business of the House which is the consideration of legislation. By convention, Bills are considered first in the House of Keys and then in the Legislative Council.
The business of the House of Keys is set out in an order paper, decisions are recorded in the votes and proceedings and the full record of everything said is set out in the Official Report - Hansard. For documents from the current Parliamentary session look at the Business section above. To search older documents use the links at the foot of the page.
The procedure in the House of Keys is controlled by the Speaker in accordance with Standing Orders, of which his or her interpretation is authoritative.
The House of Keys is responsible for electing the Chief Minister and the eight indirectly elected Members of the Legislative Council.
House of Keys Business
Recent order papers, question papers, votes and proceedings and Hansard for House of Keys can be accessed directly from the lists below.
Order Papers and Question Papers
Hansards
Votes and Proceedings
House of Keys Presiding Officers
The Speaker is the principal officer of the House. The Speaker is elected by the Members from amongst their number at the first sitting of the House after a General Election. From earliest times the Speaker has been the spokesman of the House and the defender of its privileges, in particular in Tynwald Court. As the presiding officer of the House he remains impartial. He is responsible for controlling the procedure of the House and for authoritative interpretation of its Standing Orders. In the case of a tied vote on a division he has a casting vote.
The Speaker also has extensive powers and duties in respect of the business of the House and authorises the order of business of the House for each sitting.
The Speaker also has some other rather unusual rights. In addition to his casting vote, he is entitled to vote as a member in divisions and usually does so, although, reflecting the impartiality of his Office, unlike the other Members present he may abstain. He is also entitled to participate in debate, but again in the interest of maintaining the impartiality of the Office of Speaker this right is rarely exercised.
The Deputy Speaker is elected by the members from amongst their number. He or she serves as the presiding officer in the absence of Mr Speaker. The current Deputy Speaker is Ann Corlett MHK, who was elected on the 27th February 2024.
Members and Officers
This section outlines the roles associated with the House of Keys. Details of current and former postholders may be found here.
Speaker of the House of Keys
The Speaker is the principal officer of the House, elected by the Members from amongst their number at the first sitting of the House after a General Election.
The Speaker authorises the Order Paper for sittings,[1] and is responsible for controlling the procedure of the House and for the authoritative interpretation of its Standing Orders.[2]
The Speaker may determine the start time of sittings,[3] adjournments,[4] and, subject to certain conditions, the Speaker may summon the House of Keys to sit at any time or place.[5]
The Speaker is entitled to vote as a Member in divisions although, unlike the other Members present, may abstain.[6] In the case of a tied vote on a division he or she has a casting vote.[7]
In Tynwald Court, where the Speaker is not the presiding officer, he or she is free to speak and vote in the same way as any other Member of the House of Keys.
The Speaker, along with the President, signs all Resolutions of Tynwald,[8] certificates of Royal Assent for the Acts,[9] and certificates of promulgation of the Acts on Tynwald Day.[10]
The Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker is elected by the Members from amongst their number and serves as the presiding officer in the absence of the Speaker.[11]
Members
Members of the House of Keys (‘MHKs’) carry out the work of the House.They ask and answer questions and debate legislation before voting to determine the outcome.
MHKs are elected to represent their constituents. They are able to help them with issues for which Tynwald or central government has a responsibility. In order to do this, Members may contact the relevant Department directly or via the Minister, or they may highlight issues in the House by tabling Questions or motions, or by presenting a public petition.[12]
MHKs may have one or more roles within the Isle of Man Government. An outline of the responsibilities and rules which must be followed by a Minister or member of a Government department is set out in Parts 2 and 3 of The Government Code.
MHKs also serve on Committees of the House of Keys or Tynwald when elected to do so.
MHKs are responsible for nominating and electing Members of the Legislative Council.
The Chaplain
The Chaplain of the House leads the Members in prayers at the beginning of each sitting.
The Chaplain is elected following nominations to and a subsequent recommendation from the Management and Members’ Standards Committee.[13]
Secretary of the House & Counsel to the Speaker
The Secretary of the House and Counsel to the Speaker is appointed by the House;[14] the appointments are held concurrently with the appointment of Clerk of Tynwald. Since 1884 there has been a full-time appointment of an officer as the Secretary of the House. Prior to this, a Member of the House acted as its Secretary. Since 1987 the appointee has also been required to act as Counsel to the Speaker.
The Secretary of the House is responsible for advising the Speaker and other Members on the business of the House and on the interpretation of its Standing Orders. He or she is also responsible for the provision of services to Members and, as Counsel to the Speaker, for advising Members on Bills which are before the House.
The Deputy Secretary of the House of Keys
The Speaker appoints a Deputy Secretary of the House to act as Secretary of the House whenever the Secretary is absent.[15] This role is usually held by the Deputy Clerk of Tynwald.
Messengers
The Messengers, appointed by the Speaker acting with the Tynwald Management Committee, carry out the duties prescribed by the Speaker.[16] Their routine duties include conveying written and oral messages between the Members and the officers of the House. They also provide security during the sittings.
Seating Plan
Members occupy the seats allocated to the constituency that they represent. One seat is allocated on the front and back row for each constituency. The Member who won the most votes in a particular constituency sits on the front row, and the Member who won the second most votes sits on the back row.
[1] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 2.1 (1)–(2)
[2] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.31
[3] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 1.2(1)
[4] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 1.1(3) and 1.4
[5] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 1.1(4)-(5)
[6] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.18(1)
[7] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.18(5)
[8] Standing Orders of Tynwald, 10.8
[9] Standing Orders of Tynwald, 10.7
[10] Standing Orders of Tynwald, 2.1(5)
[11] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.2
[12] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 7.1 and 7.2-7.6
[13] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.4.1-9.4.2
[14] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.3.1-9.3.2
[15] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.3.4
[16] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.39 and 9.5.1
The Work of the House of Keys
Procedure
Procedure in the House of Keys is controlled by the Speaker in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House of Keys, his or her interpretation of which is authoritative.
The House of Keys normally sits alone each Tuesday from the fourth Tuesday in October to the last Tuesday in June, except for the third Tuesday in the month, when it sits as part of Tynwald Court.[1] All Members must attend sittings unless leave of absence has been granted by the Speaker.[2]
Sittings take place from 10.00am until its business is concluded, usually no later than 5.30pm.[3] Additional sittings may occur under certain circumstances: because of the level of business; when specially convened due to a matter of urgent importance; on adjournment during a sitting of Tynwald Court, when the House may retire to its own chamber; or after a sitting of Tynwald Court.[4]
Before each sitting, Members take their places and stand for the arrival of the Speaker. He or she enters preceded by a Messenger, the Chaplain, and the Secretary of the House of Keys. All may be seated after Prayers, which are said at the beginning of each sitting and usually led by the Chaplain.[5] Members are allowed to remain outside the Chamber until the conclusion of Prayers.
During the sitting the Speaker controls proceedings, calling upon Members to speak.[6] They stand to do so, and address their remarks to the Speaker. Members refer to each other by reference to the constituency that they represent and by name, or by the position they hold, sometimes in Manx.
At the end of a debate the Speaker puts the motion to the House.[7] The Members say firmly together either ‘Aye’ or ‘No’, and the Speaker announces the result on the basis of the oral response. Any Member may then call for a division, and a count which records the way each Member has voted occurs.[8] Since 2006, the House of Keys has used an electronic voting system whereby Members vote simultaneously by pressing a button for either ‘For’ or ‘Against’.[9] The results are displayed on screens in the Chamber and are recorded in the Official Report.
In some circumstances the House may resolve to sit in private when all persons, except the Members and Secretary, must leave the Chamber.[10]
Business of the Branch
The business to be dealt with is set out on an Order Paper.[11] These are made available from midday on the previous Thursday at the Welcome Area and on the Tynwald website, and on the sitting day from the entrance lobby to the Chambers.
The sitting begins with up to an hour of Questions, which appear on the Order Paper, having been tabled in advance by Members. The Speaker may allow supplementary Questions and Answers at his or her discretion. The time allotted for Questions is one hour. Any Questions which have not been answered orally are answered in writing or deferred to a subsequent sitting, unless the House resolves to suspend Standing Orders to finish any remaining Questions.[12]
Question Time is broadcast by Manx Radio on 1368MW and via its website.[13] The entire sitting is streamed live on the Tynwald website, and an audio recording is published shortly after the sitting.
Much of the time of the House of Keys is occupied with consideration of primary legislation. Bills may originate in the House of Keys or the Legislative Council but the former is more usual. Bills are considered in four stages: First Reading, Second Reading, Consideration of Clauses stage and Third Reading, each of which usually take place at a different sitting. During debates on Bills, apart from the mover of Bills and amendments who may start the debate and reply at the end, no Member may speak more than once.[14]
An optional stage to send a Bill to a Select Committee may be invoked;[15] the House does not have Standing Committees to which Bills are automatically referred. The House may also resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House to hear oral evidence at any point after the first reading during the passage of a Bill.[16]
Records
The Secretary keeps a record of the business transacted during the sitting, including motions and any amendments moved, and whether these are approved or not. This information is issued as Votes and Proceedings.
An ‘essentially verbatim’ record of the proceedings, known as Hansard is produced by staff in the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office. As soon as sufficient text is ready for publication – often within hours of the start of the sitting – it is made available on the Tynwald website.
Since 2014, the proceedings have been livestreamed via the Tynwald website; the audio files are published on the website shortly after the sitting.
[1] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 1.1(1)-(2)
[2] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.1
[3] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 1.2
[4] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 1.1(3)–(5), 3.21
[5] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.2
[6] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.23, 3.24(1)
[7] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.17
[8] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.18
[9] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 11.5A
[10] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.37(2), 3.38
[11] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 2.1
[12] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 2.2 and 3.3–3.10
[13] Since 2017 Manx Radio have also been able to broadcast other parts of the sitting, if they so choose.
[14] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 3.27(1)
[15] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 4.10(1)-(2).
[16] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 4.4A.
Elections to the House of Keys
Elections for the twenty-four Members of the House of Keys are held every five years as provided in statute.[1] The Isle of Man Government facilitates the elections.
Candidates for election to the House of Keys must be aged 18 or over and have been resident in the Island for at least five years.[2] Those wishing to stand must submit a completed nomination form, including the signatures of a proposer, a seconder, and no fewer than 20 additional electors who support their nomination.[3]
Once the nomination date has passed, if the number of candidates in a constituency is no greater than the number of seats, those nominated are elected.[4] Where there are more candidates than the number of seats, an election is necessary.
Constituencies
Since 2016, there have been 12 constituencies with two MHKs for each:[5]
Arbory, Castletown and Malew Ayre and Michael Douglas Central Douglas East Douglas North Douglas South | Garff Glenfaba and Peel Middle Onchan Ramsey Rushen |
Previously the number of MHKs representing each constituency was determined by population size and could vary between one and three MHKs for each constituency.
The Boundary Review Committee, established in 2010 under the Representation of the People Act 1995, recommended that from the elections of September 2016 the constituencies should be altered in order to tackle discrepancies in the number of voters per MHK.[6] The number of constituencies was reduced from 15 to 12 and each was assigned two Members, rather than the previous mixture of one-, two- and three-seat constituencies. Each MHK now represents approximately 3,500 voters. The names of the new constituencies were decided after a public consultation in September 2015. [7]
Voting in General Elections
Each voter has two votes.
Voting is by the Multiple Non-Transferable Vote system, by which the two candidates with the most votes are elected to the available seats.[8]
The Single Transferable Vote (STV) method was used from 1986 to the beginning of 1996.
By-elections
Whenever a vacancy occurs in any seat, a by-election is held. A Member elected at a by-election is sworn in as below. At the next sitting of the House of Keys, or a specially convened sitting, a new Member is presented to the Speaker by two current Members, known as ‘sponsors’. The new Member is then presented with a copy of the Standing Orders of the House of Keys and required to sign the Standing Orders Book. The ‘sponsors’ then escort the new Member to his or her seat.
New Members of the House of Keys
No Member of the Keys is permitted to sit and vote in the Keys until he or she has taken and subscribed to the oaths required by law.[9] At the first gathering of the new House of Keys following a General Election, the First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls and the Second Deemster administer the oaths to each Member.
The oaths are:
I, (full name), do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors.
So help me God
His Majesty’s counsel, your fellows, and your own, you shall not reveal; you shall use your best endeavours to maintain the ancient laws and customs of this Isle.
You shall justly and truly deliver your opinion and do right in all matters which shall be put unto you, without favour or affection, affinity or consanguinity, love or fear, reward or gain, or for any hope thereof; but in all things you shall deal uprightly and justly and do wrong to no man.
So help you God, and by the contents of this Book.
The oaths may also be taken in Manx:
Ta mish ......... loo liorish Jee Ooilley-niartal dy bee’m firrinagh as dy feer ammyssagh da e Ooashley Reeoil y trass ree Charles, Chiarn Vannin.
As ayns shoh dy gooin Jee lhiam.
Coyrle y Ree, coyrle dty Cho-olteynyn, as dty choyrle hene cha jean oo y hoilshaghey. Gys rere dty phooar nee oo cummal seose Shenn Leighyn as Cliaghtaghyn yn Ellan shoh.
Nee oo dy cairagh as dy firrinagh dty vriwnys y livrey, as cairys y yannoo ayns dy chooilley nhee hed er soiaghey kiongoyrt rhyt, gyn foayr ny kenjallys, gyn cleunys ny mooinjerys, gyn graih ny aggle, gyn leagh ny cosney ny jerkal erbee rish lheid y red shen, agh ayns dy chooilley nhee nee oo dellal dy ynrick as dy cairagh, gyn aggair y yannoo da dooinney erbee.
Ayns shoh dy gooin Jee lhiat as ny ta scruit ayns y lioar shoh.
The Chief Registrar attends the swearing-in ceremony, bringing the Liber Juramentorum, or Book of Oaths, which each Member signs. The Deemsters also sign to attest that the oaths have been administered and the signatures added to the Book.
[1] Elections (Keys and Local Authorities) Act 2020.
[2] Elections (Keys and Local Authorities) Act 2020, section 4(1).
[3] Elections (Keys) Regulations 2021, paras. 9-10.
[4] Elections (Keys) Regulations 2021, para. 18.
[5] Elections (Keys and Local Authorities) Act 2020, section 60.
[6] ‘Boundary Review Committee 2010-2013’, gov.im, https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/cabinet-office/information-archive/boundary-review-committee-2010-13/
[7] Constituency maps can be found on https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/elections-and-voting/constituency-map/
[8] Also known as plurality-at-large voting or the bloc vote, this system is similar to First-Past-The-Post but applies specifically to multiple member constituencies. For more information, see: https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/voting-systems/types-of-voting-system/first-past-the-post/block-vote/
[9] Elections (Keys and Local Authorities) Act 2020, section 13.
Election of the Speaker of the House of Keys
After the General Election, once all Members have been sworn in, the first business of the new House is to elect a Member to be Speaker of the House of Keys.
Either immediately following the swearing-in, or as soon as practicable, the House is convened, and the Secretary calls for nominations for the appointment of an Acting Speaker to conduct the process of electing the Speaker.[1]
The Acting Speaker calls for nominations and candidates are proposed and seconded. If there is only one candidate, then that Member is escorted, without the question being put, to the Speaker’s chair.[2] If more than one Member is nominated, then the Acting Speaker proceeds to take the votes of Members by ballot. The Member with the most votes is declared elected. In the event of a tie, the process of nominations and voting is repeated until it is successful in electing a Member to the position.[3] The successful Member is escorted to the Speaker’s chair, who then conducts such other business that is usual for the first sitting of the House of Keys.
This process is repeated whenever a vacancy in the office occurs. If this happened when a Deputy Speaker were in office then no Acting Speaker would be required.[4]
The Speaker’s first duty, once elected, is to call Members to receive a copy of the Standing Orders of the House of Keys from the Secretary of the House, to have the Members sign the Standing Orders Book, and to have the Members sign the Tynwald Members’ Required Standards of Conduct and Code of Conduct.
Election of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Keys
At the sitting following that at which the Speaker is elected, the House of Keys elects a Deputy Speaker to substitute in the event of any absence of the Speaker. The Deputy Speaker is elected under the same procedure as for the Speaker.
[1] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.1.1 (1)–(2)
[2] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.1.1 (5)–(6)
[3] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.1.1 (7)–(9)
[4] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 9.1.1(1)
Election of the Chief Minister
The Chief Minister is elected at a sitting no fewer than 17 and no more than 21 days after the General Election.[1]
A proposal for the nomination of a Member as Chief Minister is made in writing and delivered to the Secretary of the House no fewer than seven days before the sitting.[2] At least five days before the sitting, the Member proposed for nomination must submit a written statement setting out his or her intended policies, which is laid before the House.[3]
Where more than one proposal for the nomination of a Member has been made, an election takes place.[4] The Speaker puts to the House the motion that the Member who was successful in that election be nominated as Chief Minister, and if a division is called the motion carries if it is supported by no fewer than thirteen Members present and voting. [5] All voting results, including which candidate each Member has voted for and any spoilt ballots, are made public.[6]
Until the law was changed in 2018, the Chief Minister was elected by and from amongst the Members of Tynwald. The last Chief Minister to be elected by Tynwald was Hon. Howard Quayle MHK in October 2016.
[1] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 12.1 (as amended by resolution of 29 Jun 2021)
[2] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 12.2(1)
[3] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 12.2(2), 12.2(4).
[4] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 12.3(2)
[5] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 12.3(2)(a)-(b)
[6] Standing Orders of the House of Keys, 12.4
Elections to the Legislative Council
Whenever a vacancy arises in the Council, the Speaker of the House of Keys invites Members to nominate candidates.
The election procedure is laid down in the Standing Orders of the House of Keys.[1] A candidate must be a resident of the Island, over the age of 21, and not subject to any legal incapacity.[2] This may include persons who have just completed a term of office or are currently serving as Members of the House of Keys.
Members may propose candidates in writing to the Secretary of the House of Keys for up to one month after being invited to do so.[3]
The proposal is accompanied by particulars in writing of -
(a) the qualifications and experience of the candidate, and
(b) the reasons why the proposer considers the candidate to be suitable to be a member of the Council.[4]
The sitting at which the election is held is not less than fourteen days after the end of the period for making proposals, but as soon as practicable thereafter.[5] The Speaker may appoint another day if he or she deems it expedient.[6]
If there are more candidates than there are vacancies, there is a vote.[7] Each Member may vote for or against each candidate.[8] A successful candidate requires a majority of the votes of Members present and voting.[9] Since 2017, voting has been done by public ballot.[10]
Once a round of elections has started that round of elections must be completed on that day, or may be adjourned to the next day once only.[11] No other business can be taken on these days until the round of elections is completed.[12]
If one or more vacancies remain after voting has taken place, the Speaker may ask for additional nominations from the Members present and these nominees will then be included in the next round of voting.[13] If the vacancies cannot be filled after successive rounds of voting the Speaker will call for fresh nominations and there will be a further month for these to be made in writing, followed by voting. The process is repeated as many times as it takes to fill all the vacancies.
No person is deemed to be an elected Member of the Legislative Council unless he or she has:
- within fourteen days of election, signified in writing to the Speaker of the House of Keys his/her willingness to accept such office, and
- within the said fourteen days, given to the Speaker an address to which all communications may be sent, and
- received from the Speaker a formal warrant certifying his/her election as a Member of the Legislative Council.[14]
It is the duty of the Speaker, on receiving the acceptance and address of the successful nominee, to have the formal warrant delivered to the person elected and the acceptance delivered to the President of Tynwald.[15]
[1] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.1-8.5
[2] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8,2 (4)
[3] 1971 Act, s. 2 (1C)
[4] 1971 Act, s. 2 (1D)
[5] 1971 Act, s. 2
[6] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.2 (6)
[7] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.3 (2)
[8] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.3 (5)
[9] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.3 (7)
[10] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.3 (13)
[11] 1971 Act, s.2 (1F)(b) and (c)
[12] 1971 Act, s.2 (1F)(d)
[13] 1971 Act, s.2 (1K)
[14] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.5(1)
[15] Standing Orders of the House of Keys 8.5 (2); Isle of Man Constitution Amendment Act 1919 s.21
House of Keys Chamber
House of Keys Chamber
The historic seat of the Manx Legislature and Executive was in Castletown. There the House of Keys met in Castle Rushen until 1706. In 1709 they moved to a building on the east side of the Castle. This was used until 1818 when, due to its disrepair, the Keys retired to the George Inn which they termed "highly improper" for a body of "so much importance".
A new building was subsequently erected on the old site of the Keys building and this was used until 1874, though from the 1860s the Keys had transferred most of their sittings to Douglas and met in the former Douglas Court House. The Court House proved too small and in 1879 the Keys moved to the present building which was part of the premises of the Bank of Mona and was acquired from the liquidator of the Bank for £3,700. After some refurbishment, the first sitting in this Chamber took place on 2nd December 1881. The House of Keys Chamber is situated in what was the main banking hall of the Bank of Mona, directly below the Legislative Council Chamber. The remainder of the building, including the distinctive "wedding cake" was, and remains, a part of Government Offices.
The present Chamber has undergone many alterations. The seating arrangement that had been in use since 1932 has been replaced following the 2016 General Election to reflect the new twelve constituencies.
In the desk in front of the Chaplain's seat is a book containing the names of all known members of the House from 1417.
The snuff box on the Speaker's desk dates from 1863. In earlier times when Members sat around a large table the snuff box was circulated. It is ornamented from the horns of a Loaghtan ram; Loaghtan sheep are a native Manx breed. The snuff box is still kept filled for the use of Members.
Around the walls of the Chamber hang portraits of former Speakers.