An attempt to remove the Bishop’s right to vote in Tynwald has failed.

Members agreed to a recommendation from the selection committee on the functioning of Tynwald that the Bishop should retain a vote in Tynwald.

Bill Shimmins (Middle) had tabled an amendment that would have removed the Bishop’s right to vote, but it was rejected by a narrow margin.

He pointed out that when debated last year, although 17 members of Tynwald voted in favour of removing that right, the branches were divided with a majority in the Keys wanting to remove the right, but Legislative Council voting to retain it. That meant the move to remove the Bishop’s vote failed.

A combined vote the following month saw the members vote 19-12 to retain the Bishop’s vote.

He argued the select committee’s involvement had ’blurred’ the second vote.

The committee’s subsequent report noted the likelihood would be that the loss of the Bishop’s right to vote would lead to the Isle of Man becoming part of another Church of England diocese, rather than one in its own right, with a ’detrimental impact’ on the island’s status.

But Mr Shimmins criticised the report as being ’unbalanced’ by not acknowledging there was a level of public opposition to the bishop keeping his vote.

Bishop Peter Eagles, who absented himself from the vote during Wednesday’s debate, said he recognised the ’conviction’ of members’ opinions.

The Bishop said that a lengthy consultation, including in the Isle of Man, took place prior to his appointment and that of his predecessors.

He agreed it was not the same as being elected to the upper chamber, but might allay concern at a lack of Manx input.

There was a tradition of Judeo-Christian involvement in guiding social, moral and ethical priorities across the western world, he said.

’That Judeo-Christian tradition has sustained us and continues to do so in almost every field of life in which this court has decisions to make.’

He said his role was to reflect that in Tynwald, but it was not for him to tell members how they should vote on the report’s recommendations.

He added, however: ’The (Bishop’s) vote is significant because the tradition it represents is vital.’

Mr Shimmins’ amendment was defeated - 11-13 in the Keys and 3-5 in Council - and Tynwald then voted in favour of the recommendation to retain the Bishop’s vote, 13-11 in the Keys and 5-3 in Legislative Council.

Members also agreed to an independent review of Tynwald members’ pay, which was also included in the select committee report.