Peel Commissioner Katryna Baptist has formally presented a petition to Tynwald on Tynwald Day, calling for clearer statutory protections, independent oversight and fair treatment for elected members of local authorities.
The petition urges Tynwald to consider reforms that would strengthen democratic safeguards for commissioners and councillors.
Baptist argues that while local authority members carry public responsibility, they currently lack defined rights, independent recourse and protection from unfair treatment or retaliation.
Her petition outlines several proposals, including formal recognition of elected members’ rights, statutory accountability mechanisms, an independent complaints and review process, and safeguards to ensure complaints are handled impartially.
Baptist says the reforms are needed to uphold transparency, integrity and confidence in local democracy, and to ensure elected members can carry out their duties without fear of undue pressure or unfair consequences.
The petition will now be considered through Tynwald’s standard process for public petitions.
