The President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian MLC, has welcomed the decision by Commonwealth leaders to approve changes to the UK law governing the rights to succession. Changes to the law, by which sons and daughters of any future monarch will have equal right to succeed to the Crown, were unanimously approved by leaders of the 16 Commonwealth countries where the Queen is Head of State at their summit in Perth, Australia on Friday October 28, 2011. Madam President, who also shares joint presidency of the Isle of Man branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with the Speaker of the House of Keys, Hon Steve Rodan MHK, said: ‘I welcome this reform approved by the leaders of the Commonwealth, a body historically responsive to embracing change. This move reflects recognition of gender equality and the greater role women play in modern-day society across the Commonwealth which, this year, has as its theme: “Women as Agents of Change”. Importantly, for the Isle of Man, these changes to the law mark a turning point in terms of determining, in the future, the right of succession to the title Lord of Mann.’ ENDS