CPA attends Isle of Man’s Tynwald Day Ceremony

CPA Deputy Secretary-General meets Commonwealth Parliamentarians at Isle of Man’s Tynwald Day Ceremony

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Mr Jarvis Matiya, visited the Isle of Man this week to take part in the Annual Tynwald Day celebrations. Mr Matiya joined Members and parliamentary staff of the House of Keys and Legislative Council, dignitaries, the judiciary, the clergy, local campaigners and the general public to celebrate the National Day of the Isle of Man. HRH The Princess Royal presided over this year’s occasion, which saw a return to full proceedings after a scaled back event in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Usually celebrated on 5th July every year, the ancient Tynwald Day has been celebrated for over 1000 years and involves a sitting of the Tynwald (Parliament) that takes place in the Royal Chapel of St John and outside near Tynwald Hill.

This year’s proceedings included the service in the Royal Chapel of St John, the Tynwald Ceremony attended by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir Richard Gozney, and the traditional processions to and from Tynwald Hill. At the sitting of the Tynwald, twenty acts were promulgated as per the Isle of Man’s Statutes.

Whilst on the Island, the CPA Deputy Secretary-General also toured the Legislative Chambers with joint CPA Isle of Man Branch President and the President of Tynwald and Legislative Council, Hon. Stephen Rodan, and met with joint CPA Isle of Man Branch President and Speaker of the House of Keys, Hon. Juan Watterson.

He also had an opportunity to meet with Deputy Speaker, Nigel Evans MP, who was attending the celebrations on behalf of the UK Parliament.

The CPA Deputy Secretary-General commented:

“It is a pleasure to be able to celebrate Tynwald Day with the CPA Isle of Man Branch and others. As my first in-person CPA Branch visit since February 2020, it is excellent to be able to take part in such a special and longstanding tradition of the Commonwealth’s oldest continuous parliamentary body. It is fascinating to see the rich Manx history celebrated in modern life, showcasing principles of openness, democracy and good governance. The interaction and closeness between the legislature (and other branches of government) on one hand and the people on the other is striking.”

The celebrations this year also marked the 140th anniversary of the Tynwald becoming the first national parliament to give women partial suffrage.

For more information about the CPA Isle of Man Branch and the Tynwald/Parliament of Isle of Man please visit www.tynwald.org.im.

-ENDS-

The CPA Small Branches network represents small Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to identify their particular needs and requirements in parliamentary strengthening, development and cooperation. The CPA has a long history of catering to the needs its CPA Small Branches and since 1981, the CPA has held Small Branches Conferences. Members discuss political problems and the operation of democratic systems in some of the world’s smallest jurisdictions.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

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