MHK seeks support for chief vote

Chief Minister Tony Brown was elected in 2006

Voters are to be asked what they think of proposals to introduce an election for the Isle of Man chief minister.

South Douglas MHK Bill Malarkey was given permission in the House of Keys to bring forward a private member's bill which could lead to the change.

He said he would now be canvassing opinion from members of the public, politicians and political groups.

The chief minister has been chosen by members of Tynwald following national elections since the mid-1980s.

Mr Malarkey said: "I'm not trying to change the whole structure of government here.

"I'm just trying to make sure that the people have their say and we know who our chief minister is going to be, and we know what his policies are going to be."

Universal suffrage

The private members bill would amend the Council of Ministers Act 1990 and the Representation of the People Act 1995, according to the Keys order paper.

It would make "fresh provision with regard to the election of the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man by universal suffrage at the next House of Keys General Election".

The Isle of Man general election is held every five years, during which candidates are elected to the House of Keys.

Elected Members of the House of Keys subsequently vote for their choice of Chief Minister.

Current chief Tony Brown was elected in 2006 and the next election is due in 2011.