Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) are elected to their positions by MHKs, not the public.

They are lawmakers but, more often than not, they play a revising role, considering legislation sent ’up’ by the House of Keys. In that sense, Legislative Council works like the House of Lords in the UK.

Of its 11 members, eight are elected by the House of Keys. The other three are the Attorney General (who doesn’t vote), the Bishop and the President of Tynwald.

The Legislative Council sits on Tuesdays from October to July, separate from the Keys, but once a month when they sit with the 24 MHKs to form the 35-member Tynwald.

Any island resident aged 21 or over who is not a government worker may serve as an MLC. They are entitled to a basic annual salary of £43,479 and can serve in government departments to receive an additional 30% and, like MHKs, they are paid the tax-free annual sum for expenses of £7,403.60.

To be elected, a candidate will need the support of a majority of MHKs voting in a public ballot. If more candidates achieve a majority than there are seats available, then the ones with the most votes will take the seats.

To be elected as a member LegCo, a candidate must first be proposed by an MHK.