More than 20 people have put their names forward to be members of Tynwald, but the taxpayers who will pay their salaries are not yet allowed to know who they are..
The shroud of secrecy around the new process to select members of the Tynwald upper chamber means we aren’t even allowed to know exactly how many people have put their names forward yet.
However, responding to a Facebook post on Isle of Man News and Politics, Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas confirmed that there has been significant interest
He said: “Mr Speaker advised Keys on December 17 that applications were, in his opinion, private and confidential, and that MHKs – who know who has applied as the Clerk of the House of Keys has advised us of applications on receipt – should not reveal even the number of applicants.
“There are over 20. These applicants need support from four MHKs to become MLC proposed candidates.
“These proposals can be made now, or after the ‘applicants’ conference’. Proposed MLC candidate details will be made public.”
Who Are They?
So far, only Bill Henderson has confirmed he is seeking another five years in Tynwald.
Of the applicants, only those who receive at least four nominations from MHKs will be formally proposed for the role.
This will not happen until February 13, only then will the names of our potential future legislators will be made public.
The process has been criticised on social media in recent days, with James Corrin, admin of the News and Politics site, stating that the “conditions are an insult to democracy”.
Anyone who has applied and wants to be open with the public about why they have put themselves forward, can contact our news team at newsdesk@manx.news.
7 Comments