The island’s Legislative Council underwent a big transformation a century ago.

In 1919, Tynwald passed the Constitution Amendment Act 1919, which fundamentally changed the membership and powers of the Manx parliament’s upper chamber.

Before 1919, the role and membership of the council had changed little since the Middle Ages, consisting of representatives of the judiciary and the Church, along with the Lieutenant Governor as presiding officer.

The 1919 Act was the result of many years of agitation for reform, both inside and outside Tynwald.

After a series of committees and petitions, in 1911 the MacDonnell Committee recommended a number of reforms to the constitution of the Isle of Man, including the introduction of elected members to the Legislative Council.

But they were not elected by the people. They were elected by Members of the House of Keys - a situation that continues today and which continues to spark debate.

After a delay partly caused by the First World War, the first ’elected’ members of the council were sworn in on December 9, 1919.

The 1919 Act set in train a series of reforms that continue to this day.

Over the past century, more elected members have replaced the Church and judicial appointments, culminating in 1990 with the replacement of the Lieutenant Governor by the President of Tynwald as the head of the parliament.

The Bishop is still appointed to his post by the Church of England. The Attorney General sits but no longer has a vote.

At the same time, the council’s executive powers have been transferred to the House of Keys, and its current role as a revising chamber has become established.

To mark anniversary, Members of Legislative Council will visit the island’s secondary schools to talk to students about their role in parliament.

In addition, an updated history of the Legislative Council now features on the the Tynwald website.

The procedures by which the House of Keys elects members of the Legislative Council have changed since 1919.

Today, each elected Member of Legislative Council (MLC) is elected for a term of five years and the elections are arranged so that four Members at a time are elected.

There will be four vacancies on the Legislative Council from February 29, 2020, and another four from February 28, 2023.

An election will be held on the afternoon of Thursday, March 12, with nominations opening on Wednesday, January 29 and closing on Wednesday, February 26.

President of Tynwald Steve Rodan said: ’As recent debates have shown, the role of the Legislative Council continues to be a subject of great interest.

’The council continues to evolve, and I will watch future developments with interest. I would echo the words of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir William Fry, talking in 1919 about the newly elected MLCs: "The change in the constitution of the Council, by making it of a more representative character gives an accession of strength to the counsels of the council. I feel sure that, in the opinion of the people of this island, the work which we carry out will deserve approval."’

In the same year, the passing of the House of Keys Election Act 1919 gave the vote to all men and women over the age of 21 who lived in the Isle of Man.

This extension of the electorate gave everyone over 21 years of age the ability to stand for election and to vote for MHKs.