LEADERS of the Liberal Vannin party have distanced themselves from controversial comments made by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Wallace.
Lord Wallace of Saltair, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader in the House of Lords and spokesman for foreign and commonwealth affairs, sparked outrage in the Island when he called for the Crown Dependencies to lose their autonomy.
Roy Redmayne, vice-chairman of Liberal Vannin said: 'Lord Wallace clearly has no knowledge of the Isle of Man and its unique place in the history of the British Isles or the difference between the Crown and the United Kingdom government.'
He said Lord Wallace's comments highlighted repeated concerns raised by Liberal Vannin party leader, Peter Karran MHK, over the issue of the Royal Assent
Mr Karran says Royal Assent should be on the advice of the elected government of the Isle of Man and further measures were needed to strengthen the Manx nation's constitutional armour.
Liberal Vannin is not affiliated to the Liberal Democrats although both parties are members of Liberal International.
But Mr Redmayne added: 'However, we shall be relaying our concerns in respect of Lord Wallace's comments to their party leader, Nick Clegg.'
>> Rodan hits out over Lib Dem peer's 'arrogance' 20 August 2009>> English lord calls or an end to Manx self-rule13 August 2009WHAT DO YOU THINK?Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.imYOUR COMMENTSI expect that Nick Clegg will soon be begging forgiveness from our Great Lord and Protector Sparkie Brown. No point in burning bridges when he may need advice on how he too can get a fully indexed, totally non-contributory parliamentary pension on the backs of taxpayers, and then manage to keep details of that pension from being considered by an 'independent' firm of actuaries employed to advise on cuts to everyone else's pensions.
ANGRY MANXMANHi there. Concerning what has been said, it is a shame that a form of republican government hasn't been established. None of the parties on this island seem to consider the idea just yet. It would be that most people don't care to have a republic. It could very well mean, that most people aren't informed well enough to want one.
RRO