The Isle of Man Government, an Independant Manx parliamentary system

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Legislative Process Tynwald, is the oldest continuous parliament in the world Apart from the fact that the Manx Parliament, Tynwald, is the oldest continuous parliament in the world, it also has the distinction of being the only one which has three parts (i.e. it is tricameral): firstly, the House of Keys, second the Legislative Council and third the two chambers sitting together as Tynwald Court. Tynwald Court Tynwald Court normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month and consists of the members of the House of Keys and Legislative Council sitting together. Meetings can last for up to three days and normally begin at 10.30am. The main purposes of Tynwald Court are to debate policy issues, including the Chief Minister's annual Policy Document, to approve all taxation and government spending and deal with secondary legislation. Secondary legislation refers to rules, orders and regulations made within the scope of existing law and it is often referred to as Delegated Legislation. The sessions of Tynwald Court are presided over by the President of Tynwald, who is elected for a five-year term by the Members. Sir Charles Kerruish was the first President of Tynwald, retiring in 2000. Prior to his election to this post in 1990, Tynwald was presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, who is the Queen's representative in the Island. Midsummer Court Once a year, on July 5th or the weekday closest to it if the 5th falls over a weekend, Tynwald meets in the open air at St John's. This midsummer sitting on July 5th is on midsummer day according to the Julian calendar, which was replaced throughout Europe in the 18th century, but retained for certain limited purposes in the Isle of Man including the midsummer sitting of Tynwald. The sitting is more than a mere ceremony - though there is much ceremonial - since it is and always has been a legal requirement upon which validity of legislation enacted by Tynwald depends that it be proclaimed to the people on this occasion. It is also the occasion on which the ancient right to petition Tynwald with individual grievances is exercised, and each year several such petitions are made and, if considered justified, investigated by a select committee of Tynwald. The day, known as Tynwald Day, begins with the Court assembling for worship in the Royal Chapel at St John's, after which there is a procession to Tynwald Hill. Tynwald Hill is known to be one of the ancient sites of open-air parliamentary meetings. Anciently, the sitting of Tynwald was presided over by the Lord of Mann; since 1765 when the Lordship was vested in the English Crown, the Lieutenant Governor, unless a member of the Royal family is present. During the open air sitting the Coroners are sworn in and all Acts of Tynwald which have had Royal Assent are promulgated in both Manx and English by the two Deemsters (the High Court judges). Full details of the work of Tynwald Court and the events of Tynwald Day may be found in the linked web site for Tynwald Court.

Tynwald & Government One function of any parliament is to scrutinise the work of Government (the Executive) and Tynwald is no exception. The scrutiny of government is part of the concept of Representative and Responsible government. In liberal democracies, governments are chosen by the people and answerable to them for their actions. However elections occur only infrequently and therefore responsibility is maintained by the executive being answerable to the parliament for its actions between elections. All three branches have various devices which can be used to achieve this goal. Some of these mechanisms apply to all three and some are specific to individual chambers. However the environment within which this scrutiny operates is very different from that of many other parliaments and assemblies in the British Isles, since unlike the U.K., Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man does not have a party system: there is no system of Government and Opposition and no whip system. In many ways this is very helpful since it means that Members approach issues on their merit rather than having to follow a "party line". It is also helpful because the Government does not have an in-built majority to force its measures through. The nine Ministers that make up the Council of Ministers are bound by a modified form of the convention of collective responsibility, but they are the only ones it applies to. Departmental Members, who are appointed by the Chief Minister from the membership of Tynwald, to assist Ministers, are not subject to the convention and are not junior ministers. Their only authority is that which a particular Minister delegates to a particular Member.

[CaRP] Can't open cache file. The Weather Channel: Your Local Weather Outlook--Douglas, Isle Of Man Local Weather Outlook for Douglas, Isle Of Man. Since 1982, The Weather Channel has brought timely weather information to the world. Now via our Local Weather Outlook RSS feed we can keep you up-to-date on the latest weather affecting the cities of your choice including: current local conditions, local Doppler radar, pollen trends, regional video forecasts with expert commentary, and extended forecast details delivered right to your desktop. The Weather Channel...Bringing Weather To Life • Current Weather Conditions In Douglas, Isle Of Man 21 Aug 2009 at 1:15pm Partly Cloudy, and 61 ° F. For more details? • Your Local Doppler Radar 21 Aug 2009 at 1:15pm This map shows the location and intensity of precipitation in your area. The color of the precipi... • Pollen Trend for Douglas, Isle Of Man 21 Aug 2009 at 1:15pm N/A. View complete PollenCast? • Video: Your Regional Weather Forecast 21 Aug 2009 at 1:15pm Watch what the experts at The Weather Channel® have to say about the weather trends in your area. • ADV: Upgrade to weather.com Gold! 21 Aug 2009 at 1:15pm Get advanced storm tracking maps and weather for 10 cities in one-click, all with no ads! Start ... • Your Weekend Forecast For Douglas, Isle Of Man 21 Aug 2009 at 1:15pm Chance of Precipitation: Fri: 60% / Sat: 60% / Sun: 30%. For complete forecast details... • Your 10-Day Forecast for Douglas, Isle Of Man 21 Aug 2009 at 1:15pm Tonight: Low 55°F.---- Sat: Mostly Cloudy & High 62°F / Low 59°F.---- Sun: Rain / Wind & High 64°...