MHK Rob Callister has warned that removing the Bishop of Sodor and Man’s vote in Tynwald could have significant constitutional and cultural consequences.
Callister, who voted against the move, said the original 2023 consultation by MHK Laurie Hooper asked only whether the Bishop should remain in Tynwald and retain a vote.
However, the issue has since expanded into a fundamental question about the island’s parliamentary structure and its relationship with the Church of England.
While accepting that a voting Bishop may be difficult to justify in a modern democracy, Callister argued any reform should have been part of a full review of the Legislative Council, including how MLCs are elected and whether two presiding officers are needed, rather than “targeting” a single office.
Loss of Diocese
He fears the change could prompt the Church of England to merge the small, historic Diocese of Sodor and Man into a larger English diocese such as Carlisle, meaning a Bishop no longer based on the island.
The Isle of Man is currently unique in standing as a separate diocese within the Church of England.
Although the 2021 census shows fewer than half of residents now identify as Christian, Callister said Christianity remains deeply embedded in Manx culture, pointing to the Bishop’s role on Tynwald Day and the island’s cathedral in Peel.
He stressed that the Bishop’s role costs the Manx taxpayer nothing, as the post is funded by the Church of England.
The true risk, he argued, lies in the potential loss of local episcopal presence and centuries‑old parliamentary traditions, warning that the full consequences of Tynwald’s decision may not be felt for up to five years and could ultimately be decided in London rather than Douglas.
Careful Consideration
In January 2025, the Archbishop of York wrote to the Chair of the Legislative Council at Tynwald to express concerns about the Isle of Man Constitution Bill, emphasising the unique historical relationship between Tynwald and the Diocese of Sodor and Man.
He noted that the continued existence of the Bishop of Sodor and Man reflects an important continuity with this distinctive history, which makes the post exceptional. The Archbishop cannot comment on hypothetical outcomes arising from the Bill.
Any decisions regarding the status of the Diocese would not be a matter of personal discretion but would rest with the General Synod of the Church of England, following due process and careful consideration.
Although, Mr Hooper stressed that without an Act of Tynwald, the diocese could not be abolished or merged.
