DO you agree that the Isle of Man should be split into eight constituencies, each electing three MHKs and one MLC? 

That is the basis of a question being asked by the Manx government today as a parliamentary committee seeks the views of members of the public on reforms to the electoral system.

The Electoral Reform Bill 2011 makes two main proposals. First, that the Island should be divided into eight constituencies; and second, that each constituency should return three MHKs and one MLC.

The House of Keys and the Legislative Council have established a Joint Committee to consider the constitutional principles raised by the Bill.

Now the public of the Island can have their say on the proposals and submit their comments to government by February 1st next year. The committee may publish any submissions, unless otherwise stated.

The Electoral Reform Bill 2011, a private Member’s Bill in the name of Mr David Callister MLC, passed its first reading in the Legislative Council on 14th June 2011.

On 25th October 2011, the Council decided that the constitutional principles raised by the Bill should be referred to a joint committee under Standing Order 4.7 of Tynwald Court. On 22nd November 2011 the House of Keys agreed to form a joint committee.

The committee has been given powers to take evidence and to summon the attendance of witnesses pursuant to sections 3 and 4 of the Tynwald Proceedings Act 1876.

The members of the committee are Mrs Brenda Cannell MHK (Caairliagh), Mr Phil Gawne MHK, Mr Leonard Singer MHK, Mr Phil Braidwood MLC, Mr David Callister MLC and Mr Alex Downie MLC.

The full text of the Bill can be found on the Tynwald website.