Tynwald and University College Isle of Man have joined forces to host a symposium on Saturday April 1 at the Legislative Buildings to mark the 150th anniversary of the first popularly elected House of Keys.

‘House of Keys: Power, Parliament and the People’ will bring together eminent Manx history experts to examine the social and economic context of Manx democratic reform in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The programme will begin at 10.15am with a welcome from the President of Tynwald Steve Rodan MLC, followed by presentations from guest speakers Dr Kit Gawne, Dr Robert Fyson, Dr Mike Hoy MBE, Mike J Southall MBE, William Cain CBE TH and Professor Peter Edge.

The talks, followed by question and answer sessions, will be filmed and the morning will conclude with a tour of the Tynwald chambers led by Mr Rodan and the Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson SHK.

The afternoon programme will focus on the island’s legislative and constitutional history past and present, after which Mr Watterson will bring the symposium to a close at approximately 4pm.

Mr Rodan said: ‘1867 was a date of pivotal significance in the advancement of Manx parliamentary democracy. This one-day symposium on April 1st will chart the fascinating progress of events that led to democratic reform in the Isle of Man and will provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those individuals who helped to bring about social change and shape the Tynwald of today.

‘Thanks to the distinguished speakers who have generously agreed to take part I am sure “House of Keys: Power, Parliament and the People” will prove to be a most edifying occasion.’

‘House of Keys: Power, Parliament and the People’ is a free event. Spaces are, however, limited. To register online for a place visit eventbrite.co.uk and search ‘House of Keys’.

Supplementing the symposium and building on the success of Tynwald’s participation in Manx National Heritage’s open day programme, two tours of the chambers will be run on Saturday April 1: at 11am and 2pm. Tours are free but spaces are limited. To register online visit eventbrite.co.uk and search ‘House of Keys’.

For more information visit tynwald.org.im or contact the Tynwald Library, 685520, library@tynwald.org.im.