New route for public to lobby parliament

Tynwald has voted to adopt a new system to deal with petitions from the public on political issues.

This afternoon, the court approved new standing orders which means those who collect names can lay petitions before the court and have members debate the issue.

A parliamentary committee recommended the changes after an e-petition set up to oppose the introduction of the toilet tax gathered several thousand signatures.

But the need for a dedicated e-petition website was rejected.

Chair of Tywnald's Standing Orders Committee Steve Rodan said it was not needed in the Island: