SPEAKER of the House of Keys Steve Rodan was the guest speaker at the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce's 55th annual general meeting and lunch yesterday.

While the Garff MHK did have serious points to make about the Island and its parliament, he was not afraid to make fun of it too.

He recounted a number of funny statements said in Tynwald by politicians past and present - though he did protect their identities.

Quotes such as: 'They are cherry-picking the sacred cows,' 'My concerns were echoed by the previous speaker' and 'it is a Rolls Royce answer to a bread and butter problem,' demonstrated some of the cliches and bizarre phrases that can crop up in parliamentary debate.

But, on a more serious note, Mr Rodan highlighted the advantages of the Island having its own parliament and some of its groundbreaking decisions such as giving women the vote in 1881.

The Scotsman told the business representatives at the event at the Hilton Hotel and Casino, Douglas, that he considered it a privilege to live in the Island but said 'we must be continually alert to the challenges of the wider world'.

While in London last week he met Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow and spoke to a couple of other UK politicians during his visit.

In terms of his achievements, Mr Rodan said he was involved right at the start of the Business School and was proud of having a hand in the establishment of the Manx medium school in St John's, Bunscoill Ghaelgagh.

Steve Rodan SHK pictured at the Chamber of Commerce AGM yesterday (photo: Bill Dale)