Court told move premature

A bid to have the House of Keys and Legislative Council vote as one body has been emphatically defeated.

West Douglas MHK Chris Thomas wanted Tynwald to vote as one, but his motion was rejected by 24 votes to six.

Chief Minister Allan Bell and Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan were among those to speak against the proposal.

While acknowledging it was well intentioned, the court was told it was dangerous to 'tinker around the edges' with constitutional matters and premature when there was an ongoing independent review of the structure of Tynwald.