Latest news with #GaryClueit
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Tynwald rejects majority of proposed Legislative Council reforms
The majority of of proposed reforms to Legislative Council election procedures have been rejected by Tynwald Edge MHK had suggested changes including MLCs serving for a maximum of two terms and not being permitted to take on roles in government said her proposals would improve "transparency", but only one measure - which would see candidates declare their interests before elections - was elected council member Gary Clueit described the motion as "flawed", and said the parliament had "far more urgent matters" to focus on, such as housing and health. The Legislative Council is primarily a revising chamber for new laws made on the island and its members are voted in by the House of motion also suggested candidates should need the support of at least 20 members of the public to be proposed and serving MLCs should be required to step down before seeking election to the House of said argued the proposals would bring the MLC election process "more closely in line with how an MHK has to be elected". Public comment During the two hour debate, Clueit said he believed MHK's workloads would increase "appreciably" if MLCs were not allowed to serve on government also said any reduction of the duties of an MLC "would surely also lead to additional public comment and speculation" on the role and its basic annual salary of £71, MLC Paul Craine asked why full use would not be made of the "wealth of qualifications, knowledge and extensive experience" of council members elected by MHKsThe parliament chose to throw out most of the suggested measures but agreed candidates should be required to declare their interests before a council election takes said she saw this move as "a big step forward and win for transparency". The Clerk of Tynwald said the implementation of the change was now "a matter for the House of Keys Standing Orders Committee to consider". Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Newest members of the Isle of Man's Legislative Council sworn in
The Isle of Man's four newest politicians have been sworn in to take on scrutiny roles in Gary Clueit, social worker Kirstie Morphet and former finance worker Peter Reid will serve on the Legislative Council, the upper branch of the Manx parliament, until took their seats for the first time a a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, alongside Rob Mercer who successfully secured re-election to the council in early said he was delighted to return and was "keen to get back to work". Much of the work of Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) involves scrutinising new also take part in the monthly sittings of Tynwald and can also serve on government departments and scrutiny committees. Clueit said for the first six months of his term he would be in "learning mode" to understand the workings of the "truly historic institution". He said he believed there was an "awful lot of work that needs to be done" as the challenges facing the island were "not insignificant", including issues with housing. The businessman was formerly a lay member of the government's Housing and Communities Board, which he said gave him "a voice in the room".Clueit said he was now looking forward to "having a voice in parliament". Morphet said she was "overwhelmed but excited to start seeing where I can be of most use".The new MLC has a background in social work and she said was interested in "how adult social care was funded and how people receive that care"."Homelessness is also a big issue for me. As a nation I don't think we should have no provision", she Isle of Man's only overnight shelter for homeless people closed in 2022. Mercer, who was was first elected to the council in 2020, said he was "just as nervous" during Tuesday's ceremony as he was five years on his first term, he said he was proud to have been a member of Tynwald throughout the Covid pandemic, which had been a "very, very difficult time". The former IT professional said he had really enjoyed the role of "scrutiny and oversight". Reid, who stood unsuccessfully for the Legislative Council in 2020, said he was "really looking forward to getting stuck in to the role".He said hoped to "try and make a small difference" using his expertise from a career in finance, and wanted to focus on moving forward insolvency legislation."Overall I want to listen and understand... people have put a lot of faith in me so I want to do good job for them", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
