Linking Hands Across the World

This week we share with you another extract from the June 2009 Isle of Man Guide produced by the Isle of Man Government.

Political and Historical Background

“Established in 979AD, the Isle of Man’s parliament, Tynwald, is the oldest continuous parliament in the world. Today, we enjoy a special a relationship with the UK and Europe founded on common interests and cooperation

“Status: Self-governing British Crown Dependency with its own government and laws. The Island is not part of the United Kingdom and has no representation in the British Parliament. The British Crown is ultimately responsible for the Island’s external relations. The Isle of Man is not part of the European Union, but it has a limited relationship with the Union under Protocol 3 to the United Kingdom’s Act of Accession in 1972. This allows for the free trade of agricultural and manufactured products across the EU. The Isle of Man is part of the European Common Customs Area.

“Head of State: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. “Lord of Mann”, represented on the Island by the Lieutenant Governor.

“Parliament: Tynwald, founded over 1,000 years ago. It is recognized as the oldest continuous parliament in the world. Our picture shows the buildings of Tynwald today.

 History: the Island was ruled by Norse, Scots and English Kings in the Middle Ages, and by sovereign Lords of Mann from 1406 until 1765, when it was acquired by the British Crown.

“Government: Its ministerial system of government is led by the Chief Minister who is elected by Tynwald from its Members. The Ministers of the nine government departments join the Chief Minister to form the Council of Ministers.”.

From the Office of the Speaker on 24 September 2011

Fostering ties between the Isle of Man and Norfolk Isle who are linked by history through the Mutiny on the Bounty and who, in 2011, renewed that link through a Cultural Agreement signed in the Isle of Man on Tynwald Day – the 5th of July.