Major overhaul of Tynwald Standards system proposed in new report

Plans include independent Standards Commissioner, lay members on conduct committee, and new route for public complaints

A shake-up of how misconduct by members of Tynwald is investigated and handled has been proposed in a major report published by the Island’s parliamentary standards committee.

The Tynwald Standards and Members’ Interests Committee has laid out detailed reforms designed to increase transparency, boost public confidence, and introduce greater independence into the way political conduct is scrutinised.

Key recommendations include the creation of a Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, the appointment of lay members to the Committee, and a new system allowing the public to raise complaints about the conduct of elected representatives - a power previously restricted to Tynwald members.

The report sets out what it calls a "target operating model" - a future structure in which the Commissioner would operate independently, investigate complaints, and publish reports directly to Tynwald without political interference.

In the meantime, an interim phase would allow for the appointment of an Acting Commissioner, with some powers enhanced beyond those previously given to investigating officers.

Public complaints

Under current rules, only members of Tynwald can formally submit complaints about their colleagues.

The Committee described this as “at odds with neighbouring jurisdictions”, and proposed a Committee gateway as a compromise - allowing the public to submit complaints, which would then be reviewed and potentially progressed by the Committee.

Critics have previously argued that this system allows political considerations to overshadow accountability.  However, the Committee insists the new model strikes the right balance between access and safeguarding public resources from frivolous claims.

Lay membership

For the first time, the Committee itself could include lay members, drawn from outside the political sphere.

Their role would be limited to cases involving breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct - not those involving parliamentary privilege or contempt, which remain politically sensitive and are deemed ‘inherently political’.

The report concedes this distinction but insists lay input still represents a significant move towards independence.

Speech freedoms and revision of code of conduct

One of the most controversial changes is the removal of explicit rules against ‘unfounded allegations’ and ‘offensive comments’ made by members during Tynwald proceedings.

The Committee argues that such rules may inadvertently infringe on freedom of speech, particularly in robust policy debates.

The revised code of conduct follows a structure recommended by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and includes new sections covering online behaviour, social media, artificial intelligence, and whistleblower protection.

A new appeals process would also be introduced, allowing members to challenge findings first to the Committee, and then to Tynwald Court - which retains the final, unappealable decision.

Sanctions and suspensions

The proposals also introduce a tougher stance on Members who fail to apologise for misconduct. Under the reforms, if a member refuses to apologise, or delivers an apology deemed unsatisfactory by the President of Tynwald, they would face automatic suspension.

The suspension would include loss of access to Tynwald buildings, but not online facilities — a move described as ‘proportionate’.

Next steps

While many reforms can be implemented under updated Standing Orders, others - including the full establishment of a statutory Commissioner and formal lay member appointments - will require new primary legislation, financial provision, and further consultation.

The Committee acknowledges it has reached the limit of what can be done without new law, and recommends drafting legislation in due course.

A public consultation on recall powers for Legislative Council Members is also planned, with proposals already underway for the House of Keys.