THE shortest sitting of Tynwald in five years heralded the start of what many are hoping will be a new era of political co-operation in the Isle of Man’s chambers of power on Buck’s Road, but there will surely be stormy waters ahead.

However, it may well be that some of the unsavoury back-biting and wild accusations of the past could be on the way out after President of Tynwald Clare Christian issued a stern warning to any politician who feels inclined to abuse their privileges in the House of Keys or Tynwald.

The privileges of speaking on the floor in either chamber give politicians a handy “get out clause” when it comes to the law. In the past some MHKs have made sometimes totally unsubstantiated comments about individuals or companies on the Isle of Man, but there is no comeback because politicians are immune from legal action through “privilege”.

Mrs Christian, however, clearly wants to see a new era under her term as President and yesterday made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that the “old ways” were changing.

She warned all MHKs and MLCs that she would act immediately if any member chose to abuse their privileges and make unfounded and potentially damaging remarks about any person, business or company.

“I wish to make it absolutely clear to all Members that I will not tolerate anyone abusing the privileges of this court,” she said. “There have been too many occasions in the past where Members have made remarks which were potentially highly damaging about individuals, businesses and companies, but were made under the protection of privilege.”

She said that in her opinion this was a clear abuse of the privilege of Members and declared that in Tynwald she would not tolerate such actions again and that she would intervene.

Mrs Christian’s comments come just one week after the two new Liberal Vannin members - Kate Beecroft and Zac Hall - made something of a mockery of the occasion for the election of Chief Minister.

Both Mrs Beecroft and Mr Hall made comments about previous political controversies, to the despair of many senior politicians in the chamber, but Mrs Christian - after giving a fair measure of leeway - eventually lost her patience and both LVP members were told to “resume their seats.”

Mrs Christian’s straight-talking remarks and the manner in which they were delivered were a reminder of how her father, the late Sir Charles Kerruish, used to handle similar situations.

Charles Kerruish was a formidable human being and on the floor of the House of Keys or Tynwald he often ruled with an iron rod, leaving some younger politicians backing away in fear.

It was a style which occasionally led to sometimes volatile and heated exchanges with anyone willing to step forward and challenge the rule of the Member for Garff, but it also made politicians realise that over-stepping the boundaries would always be met with a pretty fierce rebuke.

Mrs Christian clearly wants to see an end to the many drawn-out debates in the two chambers in the past where one or two members in particular often tested the patience of former President Noel Cringle.

Mrs Christian’s first experience came last week during the debacle of the election of Allan Bell as Chief Minister. It was obvious to virtually the entire population of the Island that Mr Bell would be elected ahead of Peter Karran, in what should have been a dignified occasion.

Politicians also need to understand that the media interest in the Isle of Man and its political system is now on an international level. All the back-biting, bickering and pettiness goes out live on the internet and is reported widely by the media. On the worldwide platform it significantly damages the Isle of Man and its people.

Commentators and experienced past politicians are now trying to persuade those more likely to descend into personal attacks and unfounded “privileged” accusations to hold those discussions outside the chambers, away from the ears and pens of the media.

Mrs Christian’s words yesterday appear to have been received well by the politicians they were aimed at and at one point Mrs Beecroft sought guidance from the President as to whether she was speaking within standing orders when asking a supplementary question.

Mrs Christian ruled Mrs Beecroft’s words were indeed outside of the standing orders, Mrs Beecroft sat down and peace reigned.

When Tynwald came to an end just before 1.30pm yesterday afternoon it marked the shortest session for five years, although it has to be said there were very few items on the agenda and, particularly, only a handful of questions.

With plenty of time for MHKs to prepare questions for the meeting of the House of Keys next Tuesday it will be interesting to see whether the re-elected Speaker Steve Rodan chooses similar tactics to Mrs Christian to curb the debates and cut out abuses of privilege.