A bill removing the voting rights of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man in the Isle of Man’s legislature has passed, marking a significant constitutional reform.
The Constitution Bill 2023 will end the bishop’s automatic political vote in the Legislative Council, though the role will retain membership without voting rights. The change will take effect when the current bishop leaves office or within five years of Royal Assent. Humanists UK welcomed the move as a step towards fairer and more inclusive democracy.
The organisation said the reform highlights the need to address similar arrangements at Westminster, where 26 Church of England bishops hold automatic seats and voting rights in the House of Lords.
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