Successive IOM governments procrastinated for many years about introducing a Freedom of Information Act. It was finally implemented on February 1st 2016, but only applies to requests made to the Cabinet Office and the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture (DEFA).
In the first 6 months 41 requests have been made. There is already concern about the cost or potential cost. The plan is to extend the scope of the Act to all government departments on 1st January 2017 and to fully complete the process by January 2018.
PAG lobbied long and hard to get this law on the statute book. We consider it far too early to even be considering such a move and will be responding to the consultation. The Act has been in operation for far too short a period and the sample size is too small.
We urge government to extend the scope as promised and then review all aspects of the operation of the Act. It is in the public interest not to make an hasty decision now.
You of course can make your own submission and we urge you so to do!
Summary of Implications Leave vote to IoM extracted from CoMin's UK referendum on EU membership Implications for the Isle of Man Second Interim Report (April 2016)
Constitutional and legal effects Protocol 3 will fall away. The Protocol is attached to the UK’s Accession Treaty – and is not part of the EU Treaty itself. Article 50 of the Treaty sets out how a Member State can leave the EU, and allows for a two-year window within which the departing Member has to negotiate its ‘withdrawal agreement’ (although this can be extended).
It is anticipated that the UK’s ‘withdrawal agreement’ would set out its new relationship with the EU, but the UK Government has stated that this could take up to ten years to resolve. The Isle of Man’s underlying relationship with the Crown and the UK would not change.
Who's up for it?With the announcement that 3 existing MHKs will not be standing in the IOM General Election a picture is beginning to emerge about the status of serving politicians.
Not standing - Karran, SHIMMIN, Hall
Will they stand? - BELL, Rodan, Singer, TEARE
Likely to Stand - QUAYLE, Cannan, Boot, Harmer, RONAN, Quirk, Joughin, Peake, Houghton, Cregeen, Malarkey, WATTERSON, SKELLY, GAWNE
Already Declared - Robertshaw, Beecroft, Thomas
On 22nd September candidates will be contesting 2 seats in each of 12 constituencies. With Hall and, especially, Karran, not standing the Onchan contest will be wide open.
Rushen was the other constituency to have 3 representatives. Now there's only 2 places to fight for there which one of the 3 Ministers will be deposed? Or will Castletown get a defector?
Other existing single seat constituencies to be affected by the changes are Peel, Glen Faba, Malew & Santon, The Ayres, Garff, Michael and Middle.
Once elected the new intake of MHKs will, alongside their LegCo colleagues, have to elect a Chief Minister. You as a voter will not have any say as to whom that might be. Having placed your 2 crosses on the ballot paper you relinquish any power you have until 2021.
The current President of Tynwald Clare Christian ends her 5 year term of office in July 2016. An election for President will have to take place. Again the decision is in the hands of all Tynwald Members. Should Mrs Christian decide to retire it is highly likely that Steve Rodan will be the leading candidate to take over. That would create an opportunity for the voters of Garff to elect 2 new Members. It has also been suggested that John Shimmin could also be nominated for President.