A delegation of Tynwald Members has recently returned from Guernsey after attending a two-day Crown Dependencies network event that brought together parliamentarians from the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey. 

The Tynwald delegation of the Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Juan Watterson SHK, Mrs Claire Christian MHK, Mr Paul Craine MLC, Mr Peter Greenhill MLC, Dr Michelle Haywood MHK, Mr Tim Johnston MHK, Mrs Sarah Maltby MHK and Mrs Kerry Sharpe MLC, were accompanied by the Clerk of Tynwald, Jonathan King. 

The event included discussion sessions on ‘The Housing Crisis in the Crown Dependencies’ and ‘General Elections in Small Jurisdictions’, together with pre-arranged private meetings of common interest.

The debate on the housing crisis included a presentation from the Guernsey Housing Authority on their observations and work. After the plenary session Mr Speaker had further detailed discussions with Deputies Steve Falla and John Gollop of Guernsey, Deputy Sam Mezec of Jersey and Alderney’s Alex Snowdon. Mr Speaker reflected on this, saying: ‘It was clear that despite a lot of work still being required here, we have far better provision for public sector housing and a more enlightened benefits regime than the other Crown Dependencies. We also have the space to build our way out of the housing shortage in a way that the Channel Islands don’t.  Delivery of the political ambition remains a common theme across the jurisdictions.’

Mr Speaker also held discussions with the Bailiff of Guernsey, Richard McMahon, and the President of the States of Alderney, William Tate, on procedural comparisons between the jurisdictions. Mr Speaker added: ‘Jersey and Guernsey have jointly appointed a parliamentary standards commissioner, and this is something of potential interest for the Isle of Man to join with going forward.’

During the visit Tynwald Members Michelle Haywood MHK, Tim Johnston MHK, Paul Craine MLC and Peter Greenhill MLC visited Guernsey’s Waste Transfer Station, along with Connétable Simon Crowcroft from Jersey.

Other meetings scheduled during the visit are in the table below.

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Notes:

• All related costs will be published on the Tynwald website in due course;
• Held under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the inaugural Crown Dependencies Network event was hosted by Tynwald in September 2019. 

For further information contact: 

Ms Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685511
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im