First Tynwald Conference Set For September

When the new administration came to power, one of its commitments was to host an annual Tynwald conference where islanders could put forward their feelings on gov policy or raise matters that weren’t be considered.

This week, during a sitting of the Economic Policy Review Committee, it was confirmed, that the first such conference is likely to be held later this year and that it would resemble something like a UK party political conference.

The date of the conferences was confirmed as September for the remaining years of the administration after an amendment was made during the debate on the Island Plan by Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby.

While to some party conferences, or any large scale conference, will bring memories of warm white wine and stale sandwiches, this isn’t what the Chief Minister plans for the island.

Alf Cannan told the committee hearing that the gov intends to have a main speaking hall with ‘breakout rooms’ where more specific policy matters, such as climate change, could be discussed.

He added that as well as guest speakers, he wants to see business and the third sector take part alongside the wider public with panels and debates that would allow the gov to take away the thoughts of people to input into policy matters.

When asked by committee chairwoman Claire Christian whether there was a budget for the conference yet, Mr Cannan said it was too early to confirm what it would be, but he didn’t see it being an expensive event and that he couldn’t yet say who the gov envisaged could be guest speakers.