Isle of Man’s political system 'no longer fit for purpose', says former government insider

A veteran political commentator is calling for reform of the Isle of Man’s system of government, arguing that the current model lacks democratic legitimacy and fails to deliver effective scrutiny of major decisions.

Alistair Ramsay - a former journalist and government press officer with four and a half decades of experience in Manx politics - says the ministerial system introduced in the mid-1980s represented a “broadly successful” shift away from the uncoordinated governance that came before it.

However, he believes the system has not evolved sufficiently to ensure national democratic accountability or robust policy-making.

Mr Ramsay, who worked with five chief ministers during his time as a government communications officer, contributed to the book ‘A New History of the Isle of Man’ and is a regular commentator on political developments on the Island, writing extensively on his blog.

He has raised two key concerns: a lack of public mandate for national government decisions, and what he describes as executive dominance within Tynwald.

Democratic disconnection

Under the current system, ministers and departmental members are drawn from the House of Keys and are collectively accountable to Tynwald. However, Mr Ramsay argues they are not collectively accountable to the electorate.

“MHKs are elected on a local basis, but they then make national decisions, for which they have no mandate” he wrote in a recent opinion piece.

“Their collective performance is never subject to the verdict of the people.”

He cites a number of significant policy shifts - including the nationalisation of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the creation of Manx Care, and the government’s target of increasing the population to 100,000 - as examples of decisions introduced without public endorsement during general elections.

“These were not on the agenda at the last election,” he said. ‘We are now wrestling with how to fund health and social care in a low-tax environment, but none of the answers being considered have a public mandate because the public has not been asked.’

Mr Ramsay suggests that to improve democratic legitimacy, the Island should develop a national electoral framework that allows for Island-wide debate on key policy issues. Options could include the growth of political parties, direct election of the Chief Minister, or transforming the Isle of Man into a single constituency.

Concerns over executive dominance

In a 2016 review of Tynwald procedures, Lord Lisvane warned that the blending of parliamentary and executive roles risked falling short of “the highest standards of parliamentary governance”. Lord Lisvane recommended limiting the number of Tynwald members serving in departments to improve the separation of powers.

Mr Ramsay says those concerns remain relevant and have not been adequately addressed.

He also criticised the regular practice of closed-door briefings for all Tynwald members by the government, warning that this culture reinforces the perception of parliament as an arm of the executive.

According to Mr Ramsay, this dynamic has contributed to a lack of critical scrutiny on significant policy proposals. He points to the approval of the population growth target and the establishment of Manx Care as examples where decisions were passed with minimal opposition or debate.

He argues that strengthening parliament, rather than weakening the executive, is essential to restoring balance. Suggested reforms include reducing departmental memberships, encouraging the Legislative Council to scrutinise policy proposals, and making briefings part of an open and transparent parliamentary process.

Mr Ramsay has submitted his views as part of an ongoing examination into the effectiveness of the Island’s political system. The review is being conducted by the Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee.

You can read Mr Ramsay's article in full HERE.