A two-day study visit arranged by the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office prompted Charlie Feldman, a Legislative Counsel with Canada’s Department of Justice, to observe: ‘At Tynwald you get three chambers for the price of one.’

Mr Feldman, (pictured with the Clerk of Tynwald Jonathan King) continued: ‘It’s been an exhilarating experience to visit Tynwald. There’s no other parliament like it and I’ve made some great connections.’ A self-described ‘parliament nerd’ he said: ‘Most parliaments I’ve visited have similarities and shared challenges, but very few can boast the same level of history, heritage and tradition as Tynwald, a parliament that so successfully brings the old and the new together – wigs and robes alongside electronic voting.   What stood out for me was not only how friendly and welcoming everyone was – immediately I felt “part of the family” - but also how everyone, Members and the teams who support them so professionally, had a passion for parliament. It was clear to me that these were people who really wanted to be there. And I may have visited many parliaments but only rarely have I come across such an impressive gift shop as Tynwald’s.’

Mr Feldman observed a sitting of House of Keys and of the Legislative Council. ‘It was interesting and unexpected to see how the Legislative Council operated out of a “separate space”, as it were. Across both Chambers Members were very clearly fully engaged in the proceedings and the level of detail applied to explaining clauses was exceptional. I would add that both sittings were brilliantly presided over, so I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr President and Mr Speaker, both of whom I had the pleasure to meet with ahead of the sittings.

‘After hearing from Members and officers I came away thinking I’d witnessed a vibrant expression of the parliamentary function and how Tynwald “does parliament” in a unique way. I had read up on Tynwald before I came to the Isle of Man but seeing truly was believing.’

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For further information contact:

Office of the Clerk of Tynwald
Telephone: 01624 685500
Email: enquiries@tynwald.org.im
Website: www.tynwald.org.im