Isle of Man: Dangers of Crown Dependency Status Exposed

According to a report in the British Times newspaper today (18th March 2021) the United Kingdom (UK) is seriously looking at establishing centres abroad where asylum seekers could be sent for processing. The article also suggests that the British overseas territory of Gibraltar is under consideration by officials, as well as the Isle of Man and other islands close to the British coast. The Isle of Man Government in response has said that the UK can't place migrants here without permission as they are self governing, and no plans to house asylum seekers on the Isle of Man have been put to the Manx government. 

However, the issue goes beyond asylum seekers and further highlights the problem of being one of the Crown dependencies (Manx: Croghaneyn-crooin). The Isle of Man is a country, but not a sovereign state. As far as many in the British government are concerned, the power to pass legislation affecting the Crown dependency islands ultimately rests with the government of the United Kingdom. This certainly seems to be the view of the British Home Secretary when considering setting up asylum centres on the Island. This view is disputed and is very rarely done without the consent of the dependencies; the Isle of Man in this case. The Isle of Man (Manx Gaelic: Mannin) is the only Celtic country that has crown dependency status. The British monarch as Lord of Mann is Head of State. Their personal representative on the Island, the Lieutenant Governor, is appointed by the Crown for a five-year term.

There are three island territories close to the coast of Great Britain that are self-governing possessions of The Crown: the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man government’s own website states: “Isle of Man is not, and never has been, part of the United Kingdom”. It is not represented at Westminster, which is the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.  The Manx Government website does however go on to say: “The Island is a territory for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible in international law.” then states that: “The Island's Government is consulted before the United Kingdom agrees to extend its ratification of any international treaty to include the Isle of Man. The United Kingdom is, by convention, also responsible for the defence of the Isle of Man and for providing consular services.”

The Manx people are rightly proud that Isle of Man's Tynwald (Manx: Tinvaal) is the world's oldest parliament in continuous existence, dating back to 979 AD. Older than the parliament of England which was established in 1215 and the Parliament of Scotland established in about 1235. Certainly older than the Parliament of Great Britain which was formed in 1707, after the ratification of the Treaty of Union by Acts of Union passed by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland. Both Acts of Union stated, "That the United Kingdom of Great Britain be represented by one and the same Parliament to be styled The Parliament of Great Britain." This was a disaster for Scotland, a nation that lost its sovereign status and is now fighting to get it back. Something that Ireland succeeded in doing after they broke from the "Act of Union (Ireland) 1800".

The fact that the United Kingdom can seriously put forward measures, such as establishing asylum centres, without regard to the Manx government, points to the dangers of Crown dependency status. Not only in regard to this issue, but all other issues. It clearly demonstrates the British willingness to override democracy in the Isle of Man. It also has to be said that there is little confidence amongst many Manx people in their own present government to stand up to a bullying United Kingdom. It also comes at a time when the position of a new Lieutenant Governor is being advertised. What does this feudal institution of the Governor do besides giving certain sycophants the opportunity to doff their cap and bow? It seems that in each Crown dependency, the monarch is represented by a Lieutenant Governor, but this post is largely ceremonial! Nevertheless, the Manx people pay for this feudal throwback.

It is increasingly clear that the protection of democracy in the Isle of Man and the democratic rights of the Manx people can only be achieved by independence as a sovereign state. The days of being a colony have to be ended and that requires no longer being one of the Crown dependencies.  A written Constitution is necessary and a discussion should now be underway about what type of government will achieve the highest level of democracy. It is something that nationalist political campaigners have been calling for on the Island for many years. It is a logical step forward for a people already proud of having the world's oldest parliament in continuous existence.

Image above; Flag of Isle of Man

Image below: House of Keys - Parliament building Isle of Man