The select committee on the functioning of Tynwald, chaired by Speaker Juan Watterson, says it should be allowed to examine the implications of the Council of Ministers (Amendment) Bill before it becomes law.

In July this year, Tynwald agreed that the select committee should take a look about whether MLCs should be allowed to vote for a chief minister, as part of a wider response to many of the recommendations in Lord Lisvane’s report on parliamentary reform.

In the select committee’s report submitted to Tynwald in October, it recommended the committee should examine the chief minister election issue further and report back in February - which would be after the Council of Ministers (Amendment) Bill has become law, if Mr Thomas is successful.

The committee report said: ’We believe that it would be a serious error of judgement to pass this bill in a hurry, in a single vote, without opportunity for the current House of Keys to amend the bill,’ it stated.

’We note that the bill has no provision covering a persistently tied vote. A tied vote would therefore be decided on the Speaker’s casting vote, as is mandated in the House of Keys’ procedure, if the bill is passed in its current form.

’This matter is complex and requires examination by this committee, which would allow a better thought out solution to be put to Tynwald for agreement in principle and pave the way for better legislation.

’There is no reason to rush this reform, as the procedure is not scheduled to be used until after the 2021 General Election.’

But Mr Thomas, in a briefing paper circulated to MHKs, described that argument as ’spurious’.

’I suggest the issue identified is perhaps spurious and certainly insignificant compared to the main point about the election of the Chief Minister by directly elected members of Tynwald, MHKs,’ he countered.

’Certainly, the issue could be dealt with by an amendment in coming years, very quickly and easily if necessary, as the law covering MLC election was amended in a couple of months following House of Keys Standing Orders committee investigation, report and recommendation.’