The Liberal Vannin Part have issued a statement ahead of a pension debate in Tynwald next week.

'The pension debate in Tynwald next week will prove whether the politicians in the Isle of Man are willing to lead by example and to contribute to their pensions. It is not right that our politicians should be the only ones not “feeling the pain” that is being inflicted on the rest of our population.

Apart from the wealthy, the recent budget has affected the majority of people on the Isle of Man, in Welfare, Education, Taxation and services with the middle section of earners bearing the brunt.

It is now time for our political leaders to set an example and contribute to their own generous pension scheme.
All MHKs joined the Government of National Unity and were awarded an immediate and a very generous pay rise. That pay rise is also accompanied by their expenses which are all included in their final pension package. It is worth remembering that all Tynwald members are paid this expense allowance which never has to be justified or accounted for.

We are told in the press that they want to set a 3% contribution as a starter with an incremental increase to 5% to align with the contributions set by Hyman Robinson on Government workers.

Whether they contribute to their pension scheme or not will not be in the public domain so you, the tax payer, will not know who did the right thing as that will be a secret? Is this our new open and transparent government?

Our party made it clear in our manifesto that our prospective MHKs, if elected, were committed to contributing to their pensions; our members are now committed to an immediate 5% contribution and more realistic contribution going forward.

You the tax payer should be under no illusion that our pension liability to public servants on the Isle of Man is unsustainable. It is not and it is an unfair burden on future generations.

I am satisfied that those who voted Liberal Vannin and were successful in having a Liberal Vannin MHK elected in the recent election can be confident that their MHK will do the right thing when it comes to pension contributions.

The Chief Minister has stated that his Government of National Unity is committed to a fairer society. So it is to be hoped that those who voted for an independent candidate will see the same commitment from their MHK.

Party Leader, Peter Karran MHK, added, “The Chairman’s statement is absolutely right. Particularly in these severe economic times, we have to do the right thing by the electorate. We have a financial obligation as well as a moral obligation to them. I shall be moving an amendment to the tabled recommendations, calling for all Members of Tynwald to contribute 5% with immediate effect and all new members to contribute 10% from 1 April this year.“