The Isle of Man’s parliament has taken further steps to remove a bishop’s right to vote in Tynwald.
It comes after a call from House of Keys member Lawrie Hooper that was initially thrown out.
Under the law change the Bishop of Sodor and Man, who automatically holds a seat in the Legislative Council would be stripped of his voting rights.
Hooper argues the system that automatically appoints people into positions of “power and authority” without election goes against the “concept of democracy.”
A vote was taken in the House of Keys on Tuesday to grant Hooper leave to introduce legislation that would strip the head of the Manx church of his voting rights.
13 members voted in favour of the move, while 11 voted against it.
The Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Right Reverend Peter Eagles retired from his position in October 2023.
