Over the past six months, I’ve worked as the Assistant to three Tynwald committees:

• the Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee;
• the Ecclesiastical Committee; and
• the House of Keys Select Committee on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.

During this period, I have assisted with annual evidence hearings, research and briefing papers for inquiries, and the preparation of committee reports.

The committee work is incredibly varied, covering both developing legislation and the subjects of committee inquiries. This has made every day different and has broadened my knowledge across a wide range of topics.

The internship has also afforded me the opportunity to be present during parliamentary sittings, while logging for the Hansard team. I have had the chance to watch as reports I have worked on are debated, while gaining insight into the legislative and political workings of the oldest continuous parliament in the world.

In addition to all the committee work, I have also:

• helped RSS prepare briefing papers for this year’s CPA BIMR conference in Gibraltar (British Islands and Mediterranean Region). The event brought together regional delegates to participate in roundtable discussions and explore the relationship between the European Union and the Commonwealth;
• joined the OCOT’s re-established Green Advocates Group, which is exploring ways to further reduce the Office’s carbon footprint;
• attended a breakfast held at Government House, where I met His Excellency and Lady Lorimer;
• worked collaboratively with the Corporate and engagement team to help out with our work experience students by setting research tasks and providing an overview of the work I have done with parliamentary committees;
• visited the Cabinet Office and the Department of Enterprise to speak with staff about their roles and learn more about these areas of Government, helping me to better understand how my interests align with them.

With only a few months remaining, I would just like to thank everyone who works at the OCOT for all their help along the way and for being so incredibly welcoming. I have honestly enjoyed every second of the internship and am so grateful for the opportunity.

The work, however, does not stop with Tynwald Day fast approaching, along with the final sittings for this administration and Junior Tynwald.

Whenever I’m asked what my job involves, I give a different answer each time. One day I might be undertaking research for Tynwald Members and committees, the next, sitting in the House of Keys logging debates for Hansard, leading public tours of the Chambers, or on one occasion, joining the Lieutenant Governor and Lady Lorimer for breakfast.

At the beginning of the year, I was told to “open every door” during my internship. It was meant as advice to embrace every opportunity – but within my first week, I made it my mission to test every corridor, staircase, and handle in the building in search of secret passageways. I did manage to have a 200-year-old bank vault opened. (Only to discover I was not the first to do this – the Speaker opened it 10 years ago!)

This year, I have served as Assistant Clerk to the Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee, and the Youth Select Committee. This has involved preparing briefings and questions to support the scrutiny of relevant departments, drafting reports and carrying out other administrative responsibilities.

Alongside my committee work, I have contributed to our research service by responding to a wide range of research enquiries from MHKs, lawyers, government departments and members of the public. The requests can be highly varied – from finding out why the Lieutenant Governor’s title was almost changed and identifying the Bill which was torn up before it could pass, to compiling debates on minimum wage and producing research papers for inter-parliamentary conferences.

In May, my first research paper was published, co-authored with the Clerk of Tynwald, Jonathan King, from whom I have learned a great deal about legislative processes and constitutional matters. The paper examined the timely issue of Royal Assent and the procedures followed when the UK Government raises concerns about an Isle of Man Bill. Seeing the paper referenced by MHKs and discussed in the news was a particularly rewarding moment.

Tours are one of the highlights of working at Tynwald, where I get to show people around the chambers and share the history, funny stories, and workings of our parliament. It’s always fun when primary schools come in for a tour and the pupils have pretend debates in the House of Keys – there are certainly some future politicians in the making!

Something that has stood out to me in my time here is just how accessible Isle of Man politics is. It is difficult to imagine having the same level of direct contact with MPs and Lords in the UK. Here, I have had the opportunity to conduct research for and have cups of tea with MHKs and MLCs. And on the Island, members are so closely connected to the community and come from varied walks of life – former doctors, teachers, postmen, fashion designers! And with a 20-year-old candidate standing in the next general election, it feels like a political system where people from all kinds of backgrounds can genuinely get involved.

I am looking forward to my remaining months here, particularly taking part in Tynwald Day and Junior Tynwald. This internship has given me opportunities and experiences I never expected at the beginning of the year, and it has deepened my understanding of parliamentary work and my appreciation for the accessibility of politics on the Island.

During the final months of my university studies, I unexpectedly came across a job advert for a Parliamentary Internship at Tynwald. The role immediately stood out as a unique learning opportunity, while allowing me to apply my research skills in a practical setting outside academia. I knew I wanted to put what I’d learnt to use and saw this position as a way to do so.

Alongside broadening my knowledge and understanding of the political process, this internship has given me the opportunity to see what work is done behind the scenes and how each part contributes to ensuring parliamentary business runs smoothly. Working in one of the oldest continuous parliaments in the world, with a rare tricameral parliamentary system, has given me a unique perspective on parliamentary work and an unparalleled insight into the processes that keep it moving.

My role as a parliamentary intern:

• Research and Scrutiny

My work within the Research and Scrutiny team involves answering research requests from members and committees, and occasionally the public, as well as assistant clerking for two parliamentary committees. Additionally, I have the chance to produce proactive research papers. The research requests that I work on cover a wide range of topics based on the current interests of Members and Committee inquiries. You never know what you’ll be looking into next, meaning you’re constantly gaining new insights. My main resource, when completing research requests, is the Tynwald website where I navigate Hansard transcripts of previous sittings and Votes and Proceedings, looking for answers to questions and queries within debates. I have also had the opportunity to read some of Tynwald’s archived records for a project, including documents that were 100 years old, and one signed off by Winston Churchill!

My initial training covered introductions to each department along with an overview of what they do, I was introduced to a whole lot of new abbreviations and completed a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Academy course. I was given multiple tours of the building, as it can be a bit confusing, and attended my first committee hearing.
I had the opportunity to attend the UCM Research Festival with the Research and Scrutiny team, which focused on the Isle of Man Biosphere. The Research and Scrutiny team had a stand at the event, where I had the opportunity to speak with researchers and institutions who contribute to the Isle of Man research community, and those interested in contributing to Committee calls for evidence. I attended talks on eDNA research taking place on the Island, the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere status, and its net-zero goals.

• Committees

I serve as the Assistant Clerk to two committees: the Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee and the Ecclesiastical Committee. My responsibilities include writing agendas and minutes for Committee meetings and distributing relevant information to Members. I support the Committees’ inquiries by collecting evidence, contacting institutions and Government Departments on their behalf, and carrying out background research. Moreover, I also prepare briefing papers for hearings, assist with livestreaming hearings on the Tynwald YouTube channel - @TynwaldParliament - and setting up for private meetings.

• Table, Hansard and Publications

The Hansard team covers most aspects of parliamentary sittings, including producing Order and Question Papers, preparing Votes and Proceedings, and recording, streaming, logging and transcribing debates. My role contribution to the team includes formatting the initial draft Votes and Proceedings for Tynwald and the Legislative Council sittings, logging and live blogging during sittings, and assisting with the setup of the livestream.

Working in the chambers during sittings has also given me the privilege of meeting several Members of Tynwald, including Mr President and the Tynwald Messengers. One particularly memorable moment was getting to see and hold the Sword of State, which features the earliest known depiction of the "Three Legs of Man".

Other things I’ve had the opportunity to do:

• Tours

I have had the opportunity to join and assist with multiple public and school tours over the last 2 months. Through these tours I have learnt fun details about the building and the chambers, along with some ghost stories. I had the privilege of assisting Mr Speaker when he conducted a school tour, which gave me an alternative perspective of Tynwald that I really enjoyed.

• Manx National Heritage

Holly Macrae, the other intern, and I were invited to visit the Manx National Heritage Archives, after meeting their team at the Research Festival. We were given a private tour of the archive storage facility and the new exhibits at the Manx Museum. During the visit, we were shown how records are preserved in temperature and humidity controlled environments and learnt how files are organised and managed within their archival system.

• Meeting other parliamentary offices

So far, I’ve had the chance to meet representatives from other parliamentary offices. I attended a team’s presentation by the Solomon Islands Clerk’s Office and an online meeting with the Clerk of the Crown Dependencies & British Overseas Territories All-Party Parliamentary Group. Being included in conversations among such varied and knowledgeable individuals has been incredibly inspiring.

• Isle Listen training

I attended Isle Listen staff training on supporting vulnerable people in the community. We discussed the importance of looking after one’s mental health and how to assist individuals when they come to Tynwald seeking help. Isle Listen provided us with a brochure of contact details for the various mental health services on the Island, and we worked through several scenarios to understand which services may be appropriate in different situations that could arise in our offices. At the end of the training, we received certificates and additional information about the resources available to us, both for our own wellbeing and to help us support vulnerable members of the community.

The end of 2025

The final Tynwald sitting of 2025 took place this month, along with the last of the committee hearings for the year. There’s always a lot happening at Tynwald, but with Christmas quickly approaching the atmosphere has taken on a festive energy. Although everyone is still busy, holiday spirits are high. The Tynwald choir started preparing for their Carol Service at St Georges Church in November, so twice a week I was graced by Christmas carols sang in both English and Latin when I arrived at work in the morning. The office is brightly decorated embracing the Christmas spirit, the office Christmas lunch invitations have been sent out, and the staff Secret Santa names have been drawn.

Over the last few months, I’ve been able to learn and experience such amazing things since starting my internship and I’m grateful to everyone in Tynwald who has taken the time to guide, support and include me. I’ve already learnt so much and there’s so much more to still learn. I’m looking forward to further developing my understanding of the parliamentary and legislative processes and using my research skills to contribute to the meaningful work done in Tynwald, while making the most of every opportunity throughout my term as an Intern in the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office.

Being an Intern at Tynwald has been like having an access-all-areas pass. This pass has allowed me to attend parliamentary sittings, write briefings and reports for Members of Tynwald, and conduct historical and political research.

After completing my studies, I set out to pursue my dream of becoming an independent journalist. I knew the best place to start was by immersing myself in the world of politics. And the internship is proving to be the perfect springboard, offering me a front-row seat to the workings of parliament and the ideal foundation to turn curiosity into compelling reporting.

One of the aspects I love about this role is its variety. No two days are the same. I have contributed to Hansard by logging Tynwald sittings and learned how to manage the live parliamentary audio broadcasts and streaming committee evidence sessions. I am also serving as an assistant clerk to both the Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee and the Tynwald Youth Select Committee, responsibilities that include preparing questions for forthcoming public oral evidence hearings and shaping the agenda for key meetings.

Above all, I am particularly enjoying the policy research and comparative analysis I undertake for different Tynwald Members. Delving into legislation, history, government initiatives, and social issues in depth has been both intellectually rewarding and instrumental in honing the skills I hope to carry forward. Sometimes I am asked to identify when a motion was carried, or compile statistics on a certain social issue, while at other times I’m tasked with researching significant historical figures and events.

I have even been able to weave creativity into tasks – such as developing accessible, visually engaging content to explain how legislation is made. Watch this space...

A highlight for me has been joining the tours around the Chambers. I can’t wait to lead them myself soon, and answer questions about the history of parliament and current political developments. This month I also had the opportunity to visit the Manx National Archives, where we were shown the first Manx Bible, iconic Archibald Knox pieces and a wealth of other historical records, some of which I’ve handled and used for some research I’m currently pursuing.

I have found everyone in the office lovely, supportive and exceptionally patient in helping me understand new tasks, and the constant supply of coffee certainly doesn’t hurt. I am grateful to be learning from such a knowledgeable and welcoming team.

I look forward to months to come.

Since my previous blog post, I am now over nine months into my internship at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office; I can’t believe how quick time has gone!

Since January, I have been involved in the video streaming of public oral evidence hearings for both the Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee, and the House of Keys Select Committee on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.  The video streaming of these hearings has allowed the public to watch Tynwald Committee hearings both during, and after, they take place.  Video streams can be accessed live through Tynwald.Live, and the recordings are also available to watch during and after the sitting on the Tynwald YouTube channel.

As part of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy parliamentary strengthening programme, the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald has been working with the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands.  I recently had the opportunity to present to staff in both Honiara and Tynwald about the research structures and templates we use in our office.  This allowed me to further understand our internal processes and provided a valuable public speaking experience.

In June, I had the opportunity to shadow His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lorimer KCB DSO MBE, and Lady Lorimer.  The day began by welcoming a local primary school to Government House, followed by visits to Grenaby Estates to learn about its facilities and the history of polo on the Isle of Man, then to Vets for Pets to hear about their new venture.  In the afternoon, we visited DQ Advocates to learn about their community work, before returning to Government House for a planning meeting with His Excellency, Lady Lorimer, and the Government House team.  The day concluded with a reception celebrating His Majesty the King’s Birthday.  This was a valuable experience to gain insight into the roles of His Excellency and Lady Lorimer and to see their dedication to the Island firsthand.

On Tynwald Day, I had the honour of serving as an Usher, working alongside colleagues to celebrate our National Day in the sunshine at St John’s. It was a fantastic chance to observe proceedings on Tynwald Hill, including the promulgation of Acts of Tynwald and the presentation of Petitions for Redress. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to assisting at future Tynwald Days.

I recently participated in Junior Tynwald, the Tynwald Youth Parliament, where students from secondary schools across the Island took on the roles of Members of Tynwald for a morning.  I was honoured to act as Deputy Clerk of Tynwald, which included announcing the President’s arrival into the Chamber.  The sitting began with question time, followed by debates on two motions: one addressing the challenges posed by social media in education, and another on the future of wind turbines on the Isle of Man.  It was great to see the student’s engagement and passion on issues which matter to them.

I am excited for what my final few months at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office hold!

During the first few days of my internship in October 2024, I was introduced to the four departments in the office, learning about their roles and how they work collaboratively to support the oldest continuous Parliament in the world. Through observing a public tour, I was able to learn more about the history of each of Tynwald’s three Chambers, which was nostalgic as I came to the Legislative Buildings for a tour with my A-Level Politics class back in 2019!

Based in the Research and Scrutiny Support team, I have enjoyed undertaking impartial research for Members of Tynwald, the public, and Isle of Man Government departments.  I have completed research on a wide range of topics, such as rules about voting in other jurisdictions and developments at Noble’s Hospital since its opening in 2003, meaning I am always looking at something new.  I am also currently undertaking some proactive research into Public Petitions and Petitions of Redress for Grievance that have come before Tynwald Hill since 1998. Additionally, I have been looking into expedited legislation to assess how quickly Bills have previously gone through the legislative process to become Acts of Parliament.

At the beginning of my internship, I attended the 2024 UCM Research Festival with other members of the Research and Scrutiny Support team.  It was a great opportunity to hear from researchers and academics from the Isle of Man, but also from further afield.  I particularly found interesting a talk about the incorporation of Climate Education into schools.

I am currently an Assistant Clerk on two committees of Tynwald.  These are the Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee, and the House of Keys Select Committee on Tobacco and Nicotine Products. This has been a fantastic opportunity to work closely with Members of Tynwald, and to see the connection between Parliament and Governmental departments from a scrutiny perspective.

Alongside my work in Research and Scrutiny Support, I have also been able to get involved in other areas in the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office, including the Table, Hansard and Publications team.  Since the beginning of the 2024/25 Parliamentary Year, I have assisted the Hansard team with live recording and logging during Parliamentary sittings in each of the three Chambers.  I have also been responsible for drafting Votes and Proceedings for the Clerks and assisting in the process of Written Questions where I have been communicating with staff from various Government Departments. Having these responsibilities and the ability to observe legislative processes from an insider’s perspective has allowed me to develop the knowledge I had previously gained from my degree in Politics and Sociology.

Everybody in the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office has been very welcoming and supportive since I have arrived, and I am looking forward to continuing my learning and development over the course of this internship.

For my latest blog I wanted to expand on some of the more focused areas of work I have had responsibility for a part of my parliamentary internship. All opinions are my own and reflect my own experience working in this office.

Taking on the role of assistant clerk in committees –

Committee work is extremely fascinating as it has allowed me to engage with the Tynwald members as we focus on specific topics of discussion, following the committee’s remit and goals.  On my second day of the internship, I began my role as an Assistant Clerk on the ‘Regulation of the Steam Packet Company Committee’ (RSPC).  This involved assisting in the committee’s oral evidence hearing session with the Department of Infrastructure.  The session was extremely valuable as I familiarised myself with the committee’s remit, their overall view of the sea service agreement and how they best feel this should be governed in the future.  Additionally, I constructed suggested questions for the committee for an oral evidence hearing with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA). It meant I could address DEFA's concerns with the current agreement, expanding on their views to improve governance and incorporate environmental data under the island’s plan.  This was an area where I was quite nervous as I was aware that it was important to remain neutral in my role as assistant clerk whilst also getting to know the committee members.  However, I soon felt comfortable with the role, and this was due to the kindness of the committee Members who made me feel welcome and the excellent guidance from the Clerk of the Committee. This was extremely interesting as I could review evidence from different government departments; specifically, the information provided by DEFA which has outlined departmental and island goals which will be considered in the new agreement.

Currently, the RSPC committee is in its final stages of meetings geared towards structuring the final report for Tynwald.  This will offer recommendations that Tynwald will review. This will then act as a guide for the governance of relations within the Sea Service Agreement and help to update the Agreement accordingly.  As this comes to an end, I have recently taken on the role of Assistant Clerk for the ‘House of Keys Tobacco and Nicotine Products Committee’ (HOKTNP).  This was originally a private members bill which has led to the House setting up a committee for this. The committee will review legislation concerning the age restrictions and sales of Tobacco and Nicotine Products and consider a generational clause to prevent future generations from having any access to these products.  Although there has only been one meeting so far, the members of this committee are also equally as welcoming, and I’m interested to see what type of evidence and information the committee will consider when tackling this remit. Finally, I will also be assisting in the standing committee ‘Constitutional, Legal Affairs and Justice Committee’ (CLAJ). This is a committee which I have not yet had any involvement with, but it will be interesting to see the different set-up and expectations between select committees which I am familiar with, and standing committees for which this is new.  Overall, committee work has allowed me to network with Tynwald Members as I deepen my knowledge in specific topic areas.  This also involves taking evidence in the form of oral evidence hearings and written submissions, creating agendas and writing meeting minutes.  Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the scrutiny process between Tynwald and Government Departments.   

Producing research briefing papers, working on proactive papers, and answering direct research  requests from members of the public and Tynwald Members –

Another aspect of the research role is writing research for publication, and response to timber members and members of the public.  For example, I have been able to find specific research and information on topics which support members to formulate their arguments within sittings and allow them to respond accurately to constituency concerns.  This has allowed me to adapt my communication skills and gain a contemporary understanding of a particular topic or affair discussed in previous chamber sittings.  This is extremely interesting as the research database within the office goes back to the 1800s; it is fascinating to see how views of a specific topic have changed over time and how these historically significant debates have shaped our present society on the island.  Also, I am now familiar with the different types of parliamentary research produced within the office.  At the moment, I’m currently working on a few pieces which will hopefully become available for publication before my six months here come to an end.  Although I am familiar with collecting and synthesising research, it has enhanced my ability to locate and interpret legislation. For example, I have expanded upon my knowledge of different parliamentary processes, the legislative cycle and the stages involved when constructing a Bill and making it into an Act. Overall, this has led to a greater understanding of social, economic, environmental and legal affairs specific to the Isle of Man.

Recording, broadcasting and logging in Hansard and Producing Table and Publication papers –

Aside from doing research, I have engaged with other teams within the Tynwald office.  For example, I have recently undertaken a recording of debates in Tynwald for the official Hansard records. This involves using the Hansard software to record sittings so they can be transcribed into official records- records which already date back to 1887.  Whilst recording the sittings, part of the responsibility of this role includes noting down contextual information, logging which members are speaking at that particular time, and ensuring it is live-streamed for members of the public to listen.  Despite the slight pressure in this role, I have loved listening to live debates within the chamber- especially in Tynwald sittings whereby all Tynwald Members are participating. Also, I have assisted in constructing Order Papers and the Votes and Proceeding Reports that will be followed by members in the chamber and used by the Clerk of Tynwald to note down official outcomes from each debate. This is also for official records as the Clerk notes which items, questions and amendments have been carried, not carried or amended. This is useful for understanding specific parliamentary terminology and offers insight into how parliamentary papers are structured.

Participating in Engagement work –

As previously mentioned, I’ve been able to support the engagement team by assisting in tours of the building and each of the chambers.  This was a good way to learn more about the island's history and the Tynwald parliament itself.  It also allowed me to engage with members of the public, specifically children.  By participating in school tours, I was able to learn about the Norse and Viking heritage of the island, prior politicians’ members within Tynwald which indicate a gradual increase of female representation within Monk’s politics, and a more in-depth understanding of each chamber and its functions.  I also had the honour of watching mock debates whereby primary school children discuss topics ranging from the use of AI in schools to the possibility of four-day school weeks. It was interesting to see their views on these topics and it enabled them to learn about specific procedures within the chamber. This is a good way to test my communication skills and improve my public presence in an informative setting.

As much as I have enjoyed working in the office, I think my most memorable day which allowed me to feel closer to my roots as a Manx person myself was Tynwald Day.  On this joyous occasion of celebration, I took on the role of an usher and I felt immensely proud of my colleagues and the members as they walked down the processional pathway. It marks a significant day for the island’s democracy which I felt was important and I hope to be a part of this again in the future.

I look forward to my last few months as a parliamentary intern and the opportunities this will bring.

I began my role as the clerk of Tynwald’s Parliamentary intern in May 2024.  I first heard about this opportunity from a previous intern from the office, who thoroughly enjoyed this experience.  After learning more about this, I began to network with another intern who worked predominantly within the research team.  I gradually became more and more intrigued by the role and before even finishing my degree, I was certain that this was what I wanted to do after graduating.  There was an abundance of benefits attached to this role and I felt it was an amazing opportunity whereby I could utilise my research skills whilst also expanding my awareness of Manx politics and the socio-economic, legal and environmental debates which shape our island.  I feel honoured to be a part of this process and although I am only two months into my post, I have received a tremendous amount of support from colleagues within the office.  I instantly felt welcomed and comfortable, which has only made me enjoy my time here even more.  Funnily enough, after completing work experience at the office a few months prior, I often joked with colleagues about how “I’ll be back soon” as I found the experience so enjoyable! This experience only increased my determination to return, and I am grateful that this is the case. Also, during my first week, I had the pleasure of doing much of the introductory work alongside the British Virgin Island clerks who were visiting our offices at the time, and they were extremely friendly, so this was a positive start to the internship.

First and foremost, the internship, has allowed me to feel extremely connected to the island.  In expanding my knowledge of the island’s history, culture and heritage which I am so proud of, I have been able to work within a setting which acts as a bridge between the island’s past, present and future. This is a real privilege.  For example, I had the pleasure of assisting in various school tours which involved discussing the island’s heritage, the history of the Manx Parliament, key figures in Manx politics, and the functions of each chamber.  This also involved watching mock debates of the children which allowed them to become more familiar with parliamentary procedures as the debate topics such as the use of AI in schools, and the pros and cons of having a four-day school week.  Additionally, by observing different parliamentary debates within the House of Keys and Tynwald, I felt a greater awareness of current issues and affairs on the island. For instance, one debate which is currently gaining attention is the Assisted Dying Bill. For this, the House of Keys had formed together a committee whereby they take evidence from witnesses in the Court to make amendments to this Bill. This is an interesting topic, and I can say that I had the honour of acting as a messenger within the chamber during one of these sittings. This is a key moment of history for the island, and I am lucky to be a part of it.  

Some of the different responsibilities as part of the internship include:

• Taking on the role of assistant clerk in committees
• Producing research briefing papers, working on proactive papers, and answering direct research requests from members of the public and Tynwald Members
• Recording, broadcasting and logging in Hansard and Producing Table and Publication papers
• Participating in Engagement work

I am excited to continue my development as I expand further upon my knowledge and skills within this parliamentary setting. I am enjoying learning new information and I urge anyone considering the internship to take the leap as it has been more than valuable for me. They are skills which I will carry forward with me in any role I endeavour in the future, and I am extremely lucky to work alongside such an amazingly passionate team. This internship holds an abundance of benefits and I have certainly gained more confidence in myself overall these past two months.

The role of a Parliamentary Intern at the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald has been an incredible experience rewarding me with skills, knowledge and being a member of an amazing team.

Despite my time being short-lived, it has felt like years and never-ending in the most positive way. The time spent on Committee work and attending Public Oral Evidence Hearings has provided me with communications skills of great value, bound to be applicable and helpful in the future.

During my time in the Office, I have been given the opportunity to work in other sectors such as Table, Hansard & Publications by assisting with the live recording and logging of House of Keys and Tynwald Court sittings. Although an unfamiliar area of work, the help and support provided by fellow colleagues was most helpful and improved my confidence when familiarizing myself with the procedures of each chamber.

I was an Assistant Clerk for the House of Keys Committee on the Assisted Dying Bill, and an Assistant Clerk for the Select Committee on the Regulation of the Steam Packet Company. Both Committees enabled me to complete research tasks and develop my ability to pay attention to detail.

As a member of the Research & Scrutiny team, I attended virtual sessions with the Solomon Island’s Parliament and learn about their methods and approach to Parliamentary procedures, which was an amazing opportunity to learn and interact with Parliamentary Members from other jurisdictions.

One of the most rewarding elements of this role was the opportunity to complete a school tour with my former secondary school. When I was an A-Level student completing AS Politics, the ability to complete a tour of Tynwald and explain its history and importance of Manx politics was not something I could have imagined of doing back when I was 17. I believe this shows it is never too late to get involved in Manx politics, and age is not a factor which should influence young individuals from getting involved by applying for roles such as that of a Parliamentary Intern.

Overall, this experience has helped me gain more confidence in myself and my abilities as well as provided me with skills that will assist me in the future. The team at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office have been welcoming and have made me feel part of a team, and despite not being in this role for very long it is certain that the skills, knowledge, and memories obtained will be forever lasting.

Welcome week was nothing short of the best way to commence a new role. Everyone was very polite and helpful, not only navigating my way through the Tynwald website and Office system but also through Legislative Buildings, which are a maze of history and culture.

Before commencing my Parliamentary Internship at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office, I was not aware of the running of a parliamentary office or the types of tasks dealt with by each team. However, after a month of being a member of the Research and Scrutiny Support Team, I have met all the teams and had an introduction to their responsibilities; I have become familiar with the functioning of the three Chambers and procedural matters regarding the passing of Bills.

I am currently an Assistant Clerk for the House of Keys Committee on the Assisted Dying Bill. During my time here, I have been able to complete research requests, put together reports and peer review documents for other team members which have developed my communication skills and attention to detail.

No day is the same at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office, with developments in politics and modern society there is always an opportunity to learn and improve personal skills with the help and support of experienced staff.

As a former law university student, it has been interesting to see the connection of politics and law and being able to apply my legal knowledge to tasks whilst maintaining the balance of ensuring reports are not purely legal but rather a document of information which may be of use to Members as well as the public.  

I am excited to continue this journey and develop my knowledge and understanding of Tynwald even further, whilst uncovering areas of interest I perhaps did not know I had before commencing my Parliamentary Internship in November 2023.

I have really enjoyed my time as an intern at Tynwald. I knew from my work experience at Tynwald in 2018 and conversations I had with the then intern that this internship was not about making coffees. I was given responsibility and meaningful tasks from the beginning. I was a Table and Publications intern but I was mostly based in the Hansard team. During my time I have learnt how to record and log sittings of the three chambers and committee hearings; how to transcribe and edit Hansards; and how to publish to the website. Through my work with Hansard, I have also learnt a great deal about a wide range of topics, a particular highlight for me was working on the transcripts for the Select Committee of Built Heritage. Alongside my work for Hansard, I was also able to assist in other areas of the office. This includes building an Instagram following for @TynwaldParliament, assisting with school tours and mock debates, and acting as an assistant clerk to STBFLC.

I have particularly enjoyed assisting with the school tours and mock debates, a highlight includes Laxey’s school debate about whether chips, cheese and gravy should be the Manx national dish. One child argued that it should because ‘Young people like it and the old people will die soon anyway…’ I also really enjoy it when the teachers get involved because the students seem to relish the opportunity to tell their teachers exactly what they think. I think it is a brilliant opportunity for younger children to start to learn about their political system and how it works.

I have had a lovely time gaining brilliant work experience which will be valuable in my future career and I got to do this surrounded my lovely and supportive people.

During our internships we have all been provided with a number of opportunities to participate in parliamentary procedures and events. From the beginning of our internships we have been  able to get involved in the Tynwald sittings through both observing and acting as messengers.
We have also attended external events such as the Government Conference and a lecture at the Law Society provided by the Clerk of Tynwald. This was a really good way to further our knowledge of current affairs and parliamentary procedure.
Recently, we attended the Working with the Legislature course, an all-day event organised by the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office, providing Government workers in new roles a behind the scenes look at, and the procedures of Manx parliament and legislation. This provided insight into the relationship between the Government and Parliament.
Additionally, we all attended a Manx Language class, organised for both Members and staff, which aimed to increase the use of our native language within parliament.
As interns we have a flexible role which has enabled us to mould our experience to suit our individual aspirations.

Anya Dawson

I first learnt about the internship opportunity when I did my work experience at Tynwald in 2018. I remember looking forward to coming in everyday and learning about our parliament and the wide range of services that enable our parliament to run. I realise now that I was only seeing a small fraction of the work that the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office undertakes. During my work experience, I really enjoyed working with Hansard; recording the sittings and transcribing the audio that would eventually be available for the public. I remember feeling amazed that something I had worked on would appear on the Tynwald website. Five years later, I got to experience that same amazement when the Committee oral evidence hearing I had been working on was published.

As the Table and Publications intern, the majority of my time is spent listening to Members talk; they might be talking to other Members at sittings in Tynwald, the House of Keys or the Legislative Council or they might be talking to witnesses in public oral evidence hearings. It is my job to ensure that everything they say is accessible to the public. I have been able to follow this process from the beginning to end: I have recorded and live streamed sittings and hearings; I have transcribed and edited that audio and I have formatted and published to the Tynwald website.
I have really enjoyed my training and have learnt that I take great pleasure in correcting grammar especially when it is accompanied with tea and biscuits. The amount of biscuits I consumed in December was bone-chilling. It has been four months and I already feel confident in recording, transcribing, editing and publishing. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to work on the Table side of things but I have learnt about the Register of Business and the preparation that goes into compiling the order papers.

I have been able to participate in aspects of the Research and Scrutiny work, including being an assistant clerk to the Standing Committee on the Business and Functioning of the Council. This Committee prepares for forthcoming legislative business as well as examining past legislation. I have really enjoyed this role and hope to take on more research in the future.
In early October I took on the @TynwaldParliament Instagram platform, which at the time had 0 followers. I am proud to inform you that it currently has 159 followers. If you’re interested in Manx politics, I would encourage you to visit our profile, like our content and follow our page. I would like to become more consistent in posting content but overall I have really enjoyed trying to inform the public about all the amazing work that happens in parliament, as well as providing information on historical figures featured on the Tynwald Roll of Honour. This has so far included research on James Brown, an advocate for Manx democracy, and Mona Douglas, a Manx poet and author.

One of my favorite days so far in my internship experience was assisting with a school tour of the Chambers. I helped run votes on serious matters such as whether pizza should be eaten with cutlery and whether all Roman clocks should be banned. I can inform you that pizza should not be eaten with cutlery and the clocks should be banned. There are a number of school visits booked in the upcoming year and I am really looking forward to them. I am especially excited to assist with the mock debates, in which students choose their own topic of debate and attempt to convince their fellow pupils of their motion.

Overall, I have really enjoyed my experience so far as a parliamentary intern and I am looking forward to seeing what opportunities lie ahead.

Erynn Rainey

From my first day, back in September, my time here at the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald has been quite enjoyable, and I do regularly think about how honoured I am to be able to have this experience of working in parliament. It has been entirely eye-opening to witness the world of Manx Politics and so far, through the Parliamentary Internship I have been able to get to grips with the way the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office is structured and ran –elements of which had changed during the months before I began.
In my position as the Corporate and Engagement Intern I have been given the wonderful opportunity to watch a Tynwald sitting, and later on I was able to sit in on a House of Keys sitting with the Hansard Department to witness how they recorded the sittings to later transcribe them.

Indeed, I have only spent three months here so far, but in that short time it has been quite extraordinary. Within my first week I was able to observe the Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee and it gave me further insight into some of the things that MHKs and MLCs work on alongside their other commitments. I will likely remember September the most as someone who was personally inexperienced to the way our parliament operated, as within my first month in the job I was able to undertake administrative  tasks to support  the preparations leading up to the Proclamation Ceremony of King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In October we had the unveiling of the Speaker’s Portrait in the Barrool Suite and I was able to organise some students from our Island’s High Schools to attend. This allowed me work on some of the personal skills that I wish to improve on for the duration of my Internship. I was also able to build on my personal skills by working on the front desk of the Legislative Buildings which has allowed me to interact with members of the public who are trying to contact their local MHKs. It has been delightful to see the way in which MHKs are willing to help their constituents during this time. I have also on occasion assisted with the tours of the Chambers over the past few months.

More recently, I was given a task to compile a list of the art pieces which decorate the Legislative Buildings in order to keep an updated record of what is on display across the entire building. However, over recent months I have been working on a larger project to do with the documents that have been archived at the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald. This task has been relatively independent and it’s something that I haven’t previously done but I found that I took to it quite easily. It has been quite astounding to look through these pieces of legislation that have been passed through Tynwald throughout the years, and it has definitely been a challenge to make sure the documents have been correctly placed and formatted but I can happily say that I have been able to do just fine.

Whilst my time here at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office has been quite short thus far, the short period of time that I have spent at the Clerk of Tynwald’s office has been wonderful and I am looking forward to what the months ahead bring.

Anna Hardman

As a graduate, I wasn’t 100% sure what career I wanted to pursue and the Tynwald Parliamentary internship offered experience, flexibility and an opportunity to allow me to gain insight into a career in politics, without the long-term commitment. It’s not every day you are offered work alongside political Members and Committees, and get to have a genuine impact and role within parliament! As a History & Politics graduate, I was extremely grateful to be offered the experience.

I have found the internship to be a very valuable transition from education to the working world. I have been able to be part of a team and support parliamentary research, whilst also being able to organise experience in other areas, for example I am currently organising to work with the Cabinet Office.

My principle role is intern for the Research and Scrutiny team, in which my main tasks are;

• To support primarily Members, but also Government Departments and individuals with research requests
• To produce research papers for publication on the Tynwald Website
• Act as Assistant Clerk for the Select Committee of Tynwald on Built Heritage and take minutes, prepare agendas, organise evidence, contact witnesses to organise oral evidence hearings, prepare suggested questions and produce research papers

Research
I have really enjoyed conducting research, it has given me insight to the workings of Tynwald, the ability to search and read legislature and policy, and the confidence to advise and inform Members on their queries.
In terms of research papers, I have helped to complete a paper on Youth Participation in Politics which has been published on the Tynwald website. I am also in the process of helping the completion of a paper about petitions, one on population issues and a paper exploring tourism on the Isle of Man.

Committee work
My favourite task I have undertaken so far, has been acting as Assistant Clerk for the Select Committee of Tynwald on Built Heritage. I have really enjoyed working closely with the Committee to investigate the issues surrounding the protection of our heritage on the Island, taking evidence from people and hearing their experiences and suggestions, and producing research on specific topics for the use of the Committee.
Being a part of this Committee has been an eye opening experience to the complexities of policy, legislation, allocating resources and working with different Departments, organisations and individuals.

Personal development
In four months I have gained invaluable and transferable skills and knowledge such as:

• Improved communication and interpersonal skills
• Improved confidence working in an office environment and following Parliamentary procedures
• Improved time management and organisation
• Impartiality
• Ability to conduct parliamentary research working with Hansards and parliamentary reports
• Ability to read and understand legislature and policy

I couldn’t ask for a better team in Research, from my first day I felt very welcomed and respected (no orders to just run around making tea and coffee!) I was straight away part of the team getting on with meaningful work. The office is supportive and social and I feel privileged to work with such a great team!

The Clerk of Tynwald’s Office has so far been a vibrant and memorable experience and I look forward to the rest of my months here.

At the end of my internship I have had time to reflect on my time in the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald and the work I have undertaken. Looking back I can see that I have been focused on writing reports and doing research, but I have also been involved in ceremonial work in Chambers and at St John’s.

Research

The majority of my work has been focused on conducting research, primarily for Members, but also for the general public and outside organisations, as well as requests from within the Office. The areas of my research are quite diverse.

A lot of my research has been for the Select Committee on the Historic Built Environment. This research has included such things as:

·         Built heritage legislation in the Home Nations, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar;

·         Reviewing the public evidence the Committee has received and analysing it for recurring themes;

·         Petitions that have been presented to Tynwald since 2011;

·         Questions that have been asked to the President under a Standing Order;

·         The outcomes of tribunal cases against the government;

·         The history of the Douglas horse trams; and

·         The Sulby Claddagh

As well as conducting my own research, I proofread the research conducted by the other members of the Research and Scrutiny Support Team. All work is proofread before being published, providing a second pair of eyes and an another person’s perspective.

Assistant Clerk

Part of my work has involved serving as an Assistant Clerk for various committees of Tynwald. When I started, I was excited to hear that I would be Assistant Clerk to the Tynwald Select Committee on the Historic Built Environment. I have always had a passion for history, having studied it for GCSE, A-Level and at Bachelor’s degree. Another reason to be excited to work on this Committee was the fact that one of its Members, Mr Moorhouse MHK, was my old high school geography and business studies teacher.

I also served as the Assistant Clerk to the Public Accounts Committee.

In both these roles, it is my job to take notes of what is being said, by the Chairs and Members, as well as parties giving evidence if required. Afterwards, I share my work with the Clerk of the Committee, and both our works are integrated into the final minutes. This is then filed and shared between all relevant parties.

Ceremonial

On Tynwald Day, everybody from the Office was involved with the ceremony in some way. In my case, I was serving as a church usher; this involved guiding the dignities to their seats before the service, and leading the procession to the hill for the Promulgation of laws, before leading them back to the church for the Captioning Ceremony. And I must say, it was very hot out there, wearing a three-piece suit in the brilliant sun! 

I served a similar role at the Second Proclamation of the Lord of Mann at St John’s in September.

Towards the end of the parliamentary year, I also assisted the Corporate and Engagement teams working as a messenger in the Tynwald chamber.

Engagement and Outreach

A small part of the job involves giving tours to ad hoc groups of people, usually those who are visiting beyond the usual tour hours. These groups are usually holidaymakers, or students with real interest in politics. I show the groups around all three Chambers, showing off their histories, and the histories of individual artefacts therein, such as the horns on the Speaker’s desk in the House of Keys, the President’s throne in the Legislative Council, and the rolls cupboard and register book in the Tynwald chamber. In addition, I sometimes serve as an extra pair of hands during regular tours, if the tour party is quite large.

I have also played parts in representing the Island internationally. During my time here, Tynwald has played host to visiting dignitaries from Pakistan, and the British Virgin Islands; with the former, I was involved in touring the Chambers and guiding them to various talks from government colleagues.

Moreover, I played a small but vital part of Tynwald’s Education Programme in Junior Tynwald as I served as the Deputy Clerk. I wore the cloak and wig of the Clerk. As Deputy Clerk, my main task was to announce the President of Tynwald’s arrival to the Chamber. It brought back memories of my own involvement in Junior Tynwald 2015 and I am proud of the achievements I have made over the last seven years and I am looking forward to the next chapter in my career.

I have enjoyed my time at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office. I have built bridges and made connections. The work has been enjoyable, and it has also been varied; this has taught me how a government works, the numerous small tasks that go into its everyday operations, and the diverse range of topics that a government deals with on a daily basis. I hope that I can use the skills I’ve learned from this job in the future.

If somebody had told me at the beginning of this year that I would end up working at Tynwald, I wouldn’t have believed them in the slightest. 

As an intern within the Research and Scrutiny Support team, my work has primarily been focused around completing research requests, both from Members and from the general public. Due to the diverse operations of Tynwald, I have been involved with a diverse range of research requests. 

My research skills have not been limited to completing papers on behalf of members and the public. I have also helped out with internal projects, including adding to a timeline of government announcements relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This has included adding information on the discontinuation of restrictions, antiviral treatments for those at greater risk of illness, and the reasons for requiring a PCR test to a timeline of events. 

Away from research, I have been involved in the work of various committees of Tynwald. My fifth week in the internship saw me assigned the role of Assistant Clerk to the Public Accounts Committee. In this role, it is my job to take notes of what was being said, and help to incorporate them into the minutes of that meeting. I also serve as Assistant Clerk to the newly-created Select Committee on the Historic Built Environment; I am excited to be part of this committee, because I have always had a passion for history and heritage. 

Another part of the internship I have helped out with has been tours of the Chambers. In doing this, I have learned a great deal about the history of Tynwald, and about the general history of the Island. Most of these tours have involved the general public, at the free public tours on Mondays and Fridays. I have also helped with tours for the year six classes of the Island’s primary schools, providing visual tours of the Chambers, explaining their histories, and those of the various artefacts within and outside of each room, and providing facts about the roles of each Member of the House of Keys. Helping with tours has been very pleasant, and has allowed me to re-hone the skills I have developed working as a member of bank staff for Manx National Heritage. 

As well as working within Tynwald, I have made use of the opportunities for further learning, to grow and develop. I have taken advantage of Tynwald’s membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which runs a series of online classes on a wide variety of subjects, including the functioning of Public Accounts Committees, which has been helpful in understanding how they work. Some of their other courses have been general information about working in a parliamentary setting, but they have nevertheless been instrumental in explaining how a legislature works. 

Recently, a group of delegates from Baluchistan province in Pakistan visited the Island, and I was involved with conducting them around Tynwald. This included a tour of the Chambers, and various talks from the Clerk of Tynwald, some of my colleagues and a drafter from the Attorney General’s Chambers. 

For the future, I have been assigned to serve as a reserve messenger for Tynwald sittings, and to be the Assistant Clerk to the Junior Tynwald court in July. I look forward to executing these exciting tasks. 

I understand the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office’s policy on safeguarding, having been taught about this by a colleague, and understand its importance. 

It is a privilege to meet and work with the Clerk of Tynwald and Secretary of the House of Keys, Dr Jonathan King, and the Deputy Clerk of Tynwald and Clerk to the Legislative Council, Joanne Corkish. I am grateful to them for giving me this unique opportunity. I have worked with them as assistant clerk to the aforementioned committees, and have undertaken numerous tasks on their behalf. 

Being given the role of intern is most reassuring, given my recent run of luck when it comes to interviews. I want to prove to myself that I am employable. I want to prove to employers that I am both willing and able to work, and to be able to use all the skills I have acquired from my degrees. 

One thing that has certainly struck me is how I have been treated as an equal by Members, especially during committee meetings. During a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, the Chairman, Mr Speaker, gave me a warm introduction to the rest of the Committee.

Moreover, I must admit that when I first started here, my impression was that Parliamentarians rarely visit the research department in person, save only when they really have to. I also, somewhat irrationally, believed that members of staff almost exclusively used email and didn’t bother to see people in person. 

Since then, I’ve learned that it’s common for Members to show up for varying reasons, or even just to stop by and say hello, including Mr President Skelly and the Chief Minister; and for others to ask things in person, rather than just resorting to email for nearly everything. I was surprised to find that Members and fellow members of staff are so easily accessible and personable. 

I didn’t really know what to expect when I started. I knew that there would be research, but I had no idea of the diversity of subjects that I would be researching. Nor did I have any idea of the frequency of tours, or how the committees would work. Of course, for the latter, I’ve seen things on TV and in films, but honestly, there’s nothing like actually sitting there, taking notes, as and when it happens, in a parliamentary setting. 

So much has happened since my last blog post back in October.

The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald has recently undergone a restructure and my former team in the Chamber and Information has been split into two divisions. I am currently working in a small team of six under the Legislative Services division in the Research and Scrutiny Support team. Despite the focus of the team being research, as a small organisation I am still assisting with the public and school tours of Chambers and helping out where I can. ​

Before Christmas I was assigned Assistant Clerk to two policy review committees: Social Affairs and Environment and Infrastructure. Since then the constant and wide-ranging secretariat style work involved with a Tynwald Committee has certainly kept me busy. Administrative duties include the assembly of agendas and minutes, writing follow-up emails to Departments, the handling of evidence and submissions, and the preparation of draft questions for oral evidence hearings…to name but a small few. This extensive involvement has forced me to become adaptable, pragmatic, and a better officer. Working in this environment and directly with Members has been fascinating for me. I feel part of the process that enables the scrutiny process to operate freely and effectively by being able to anticipate Members needs and help provide pertinent information. It has been great to be at the sharp end of this dimension of parliamentary procedure.

As a small parliamentary office, all our researchers are generalists​ and we are given the time to produce research and briefing papers on both topical and historic events on very diverse topics. It is rewarding being of the knowledge that the impartial analysis I provide helps Members become informed. The public briefing papers the research team produce - including a paper I wrote on the Visits of Her Majesty The Queen to the Isle of Man - are available here: https://www.tynwald.org.im/links/research/​

Since waving goodbye to 2021 I have had the pleasure of spending time up at Government House with the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lorimer. His Excellency met with me to discuss his role in constitutional, legislative and community terms. When touring the gardens he passed on some words of wisdom, recommending that I keep my options open, professionally speaking. The following week I returned to assist the Oaths and Passport team in the coordination of the first Citizenship Ceremony of the year. This was a heart-warming experience. I was also invited to chat with Head Boys and Girls about my educational journey on a separate visit in early March.

Tasked with the organisation of Junior Tynwald for 27th January, I was central in the formulation of the Order and Question Papers, liaising with Departments, and corresponding with Members, teachers, caterers, and the press. Our youth parliament gives each ​school on rotation the option to move a motion which is answered by the Minister of the Department. I found this was challenging, but totally worthwhile especially as I took on the role as Deputy Clerk on the day, and I could see it all come together. I was incredibly impressed by the standard of the debate from the sixth-formers. It appears, future generations, that we are in safe hands…

For the Keys Management and Members’ Standards Committee I drafted my first report, entitled Chaplaincy and Prayer. In drafting the report, the role of the Assistant Clerk is to consolidate recommendations made by the Committee for review which, if included in ​the final report, will be debated in the Chamber. The report was laid before the House of Keys on February 8th and was hotly debated by all Members as I watched on intently from the press gallery. It was exciting to play a part in this legislative process, and for the mover of the motion use a speech I had drafted for them. The issues involved are yet to be resolved and I aim to continue to be of assistance in these matters.

I was thrown into the deep end for my first oral evidence hearing with the Social Affairs Committee: I clerked it alone! In all seriousness, I didn’t drown and it all went swimmingly… The Department of Home Affairs Minister, Jane Poole-Wilson MHK, and CEO, Dan Davies, gave evidence in the Legislative Council. I received good feedback from the Committee Members and the Clerk of the Committee which is always appreciated after taking on something for the first time.

As I stated at the beginning of this post, so much has happened in these last four months. I cannot believe I am halfway through my internship already! I am having so much fun here. It is often said that every day is different in Tynwald, and I can only agree. I am so lucky to work in such an interesting Office, with professional, friendly people as I develop myself and my career aspirations.

Since joining the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office, I have had a hugely varied and busy workload, as such I can safely say two days are never the same here in Tynwald. In addition to getting to grips with how the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald works day to day, I have also had to learn how our parliament functions and the different stages a General Election. 

Despite only being here two months I have had the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of projects. The first of which was to help with the ongoing website migration, as Tynwald establishes a new online presence. Having little to no experience in the more technical side of IT, working on the new website has been a steep, but enjoyable, learning curve. I have also contributed a range of smaller projects and initiatives such as education outreach and library services.  A particular highlight was giving a talk to the sixth formers at King William’s College about the role of Tynwald and its place in the Isle of Man.

I have spent time on the front desk of Legislative Buildings allowing me to see first hand how members of the public contact and message their MHKs. It has been very interesting to witness the depth and extent of engagement between MHKs and their constituents.​

I have been afforded the opportunity to research a wide range of issues, of which some have been turned into briefing papers and others into personal research notes for Members. Although researching is a skill for more within my wheelhouse, gritting to grips with parliamentary writing styles and policy research has been, both interesting and challenging in equal measures.

Having joined the office in September, just before the 2021 General Election, it has been enlightening to see the process by which MHKs are elected and sworn-in. I have been fortunate enough to be able to watch a sitting of Tynwald, Keys and Legislative Council. A noteworthy sitting was that of the election of the Chief Minister which was for the first time, held in the House of Keys.

My time at the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office, although short, has been interesting and challenging but most of all enjoyable.​

I began my parliamentary internship on the 1st of September 2021. The first day mostly consisted of meet-and-greets and tours of the Legislative Buildings along with standard email and desk setup. A sense of privilege and pride came over me as we were guided through the historic House of Keys. As a proud Manxman, I thought, how lucky I am to have this opportunity to work in and for Tynwald.
Together with Cameron, the other intern, our first project was to compile a joint research paper for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) looking into Tynwald’s climate policy agenda; the environment being an issue I am extremely passionate and concerned about. This project provided a useful opportunity to become familiarised with the Tynwald website, particularly the Hansard services which is a gold-mine for evidence given the wealth of verbatim transcripts uploaded which date back to 1877. I was encouraged to adapt my writing away from that of an opinionated university-like piece to a more suitable and impartial style. The paper was finalised after meeting with Jonathan King, the Clerk of Tynwald. Following some extremely detailed and helpful scrutiny, “Tynwald and Climate Change - Actions, Initiatives and Engagement” was despatched to the CPA secretariat and was gratefully received. 
Meanwhile plenty of website-based tasks were sent our way as the office prepared to migrate from an old intranet system to a new one. This process brought with it the necessity to become Microsoft Excel proficient, something I thought I was good at! There is certainly room for improvement in that department. 
In week four I began working on the front desk: welcoming visitors and guests, dealing with telephone and in-person queries, overseeing the library inbox and taking payments for the shop which involved cashing-up at the end of the day. I also began creating Instagram content prior to the upcoming General Election. See examples below: 
Cameron and I co-authored a booklet entitled “A Student’s Guide to Tynwald” in week five, mapping the history and function of the Manx parliament. This exercise was both valuable and rewarding, firstly because it helped me to understand Tynwald’s unique tricameral system and secondly because I was helping to raise awareness of politics to a demographic which is becoming increasingly disenfranchised. The education pages on the Tynwald website are an excellent resource for teachers and students - Tynwald Learning Pages
Being the in-house photographer for the Swearing-in Ceremony for the House of Keys following the previous week’s General Election was a fantastic experience. It was great to be in the midst of such a historic procedure that has its roots a thousand years ago. 
Six weeks in and I was tasked with drafting an independently-led research paper for Members which detailed the provenance, process and reforms of the Chief Minister elections. By researching the relevant Standing Orders and legislation such as the Council of Ministers Act 1990, my parliamentary awareness was further heightened. 
Due to the General Election, Committee work didn't start until October. I have been assigned the role of Assistant Clerk to the Keys Management and Members’ Standards (KMMS) standing committee, I began by compiling a draft ​briefing paper on the Chaplain of the House of Keys which involved researching the history of the role and comparing the chaplaincy of Tynwald with other smaller jurisdictions. Further duties included filing evidence, acknowledging receipt of such evidence and noting items for agenda. I really look forward to our first meeting.
My most recent responsibility has been to prepare the Votes and Proceedings prior to sittings in the House of Keys and Tynwald Court. This involves transferring over the items from the Order Paper and modifying the language to the past tense. Upon completion the document is sent to the Deputy Clerk for approval and editing during the sitting. 
I have found the experience fascinating so far, and things are now beginning to take shape. I really look forward to what the next few weeks and months hold.

Since my last blog, we have been through a mixed period of both office and home-based working due to COVID restrictions, which has brought the additional challenges presented by virtual meetings and not having face-to-face interaction with colleagues. During this time, I have continued to be heavily involved with Committee work, supporting the Economic Policy Review Committee in carrying out its inquiries and assisting the Legislative Council Standing Orders Committee to produce its latest report. I have recently taken on an additional committee, becoming assistant clerk to the Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee. The Committee has a wide-ranging remit and large workload which I have become fully involved in, despite having only attended meetings virtually so far!

I have also had the opportunity to work on one of the many external activities that Tynwald participates in – a working group on COVID-19 organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The group has included Members of the Gibraltar, Wales, Falkland Islands and Isle of Man Legislatures who have come together to share different aspects of their respective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group have also hosted webinar-style events for the wider CPA Membership to attend and contribute to. These events are a useful opportunity for Members to discuss with each other what has worked well and what could have been done differently in their jurisdictions. It has been interesting to learn that other smaller jurisdictions are in a very similar situation to the Isle of Man, with particular common ground found in areas such as testing capacity, vaccination procurement and how to re-open society and borders post-COVID.

Recently, I have started working on our education outreach activities. I have begun to welcome groups of students form local schools to Tynwald, leading them on a tour of the Legislative Chambers, which finishes with a mock debate in the House of Keys. The visits are important to develop an understanding of democracy and politics on the Isle of Man and introduce students to the features of Tynwald that make it and the Isle of Man so unique. It is also an excellent opportunity for pupils to meet their constituency MHK and find out more about the person who represents them and what their job involves, helping to make politics more accessible.

I have also helped out the Tynwald Messenger team by providing cover for some of their work. Messengers work in the Chambers during sittings and ensure that Members are able to communicate with each other through passing handwritten notes, receive copies of amendments when they are to be moved, and generally have everything they need to ensure the sittings run smoothly. Messengers get a unique insight into political debate, being one of the few non-Tynwald Members actually in the Chamber, and it was good to make history as (probably!) the youngest ever Messenger.

Before I started my Parliamentary Internship at Tynwald, I wasn’t particularly aware of how its day-to-day running occurred, but now I am far more confident in understanding how Tynwald operates and the parliamentary process three months into my one year parliamentary internship. As both a former political science and law university student it has been a deeply informative experience in consolidating what I have learnt in textbooks and lectures by seeing the interplay of both fields in real-life by working within the parliamentary office supporting the work of Tynwald.

During my short time here I have already been involved in various activities within Tynwald – including working with Hansard in transcribing parliamentary sittings, managing the @TynwaldLive Twitter feed and acting as a Messenger in Tynwald sittings. I am also currently serving as an assistant clerk to the Standing Committee on the Business and Functioning of the Council. The various experiences have allowed me to be more involved than I thought I would be from such an early point in my internship.

Everyone has been incredibly warm in welcoming me to Parliament and offering help and advice when needed, which I’m very grateful for. Despite the fact that much of my time thus far has been spent working in lockdown, I’m particularly thankful towards the Hansard team as well as the Tynwald team at large for being very accommodating and ensuring that my transition from working in the office to home was a smooth process.

I’ve immensely enjoyed my time thus far with the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald and I’m looking forward to being able to re-join the team again once lockdown ends. The 2021 House of Keys General Election will be held during my internship and I am grateful for the opportunity to witness the electoral process from this perspective. I have been interested in politics since school and I would urge all 16 year olds to take the opportunity now to register to vote so they can take part in this years' election.

During my first few months at Tynwald, I have learnt an enormous amount about the functioning of parliamentary democracy on the Isle of Man. My short time here has been hugely varied, the office is always extremely busy and no two days have been the same.  

I have spent a large amount of time learning about the legislative process. This has meant understanding all of the steps that are involved in moving a piece of legislation through Tynwald. I was able to spend some time with legislative drafters in the Attorney General’s Chambers to find out how they take a policy idea or concept and craft it into a Bill before it begins its journey through Tynwald. I also took the time to watch a live sitting from the public gallery in all three chambers, an invaluable first-hand experience of all of the stages that legislation passes through in the branches, before a final version is decided upon and sent for Royal Assent.  

I have also been heavily involved in committee work, taking on the role of assistant clerk to the Economic Policy Review Committee. I have been able to attend all of the committee’s meetings and oral evidence hearings, carried out research for the committee and assisted with the drafting of a report to be debated in Tynwald. Committees are an important part of the Isle of Man’s parliamentary system, as they are one of the main means through which the work of the government is scrutinised. Committee clerks are there to support members to ensure that they are able to carry out their duties, and it is very rewarding knowing that I have been able to play a part in helping members to fulfil their parliamentary roles.  

I was able to spend a few days with our Hansard team, getting to have a go at producing Hansard for both Tynwald and another jurisdiction as part of the international service offered by Tynwald. Hansard is a transcript of the proceedings of the three branches, as well as of committee oral evidence hearings. Hansard is a useful resource as it opens up access to debates for those unable to attend as well as being an important historical document for future use. During my brief period with the Hansard team, I learnt just how much work goes into producing even the shortest transcript accurately.    

I have also spent time carrying out research queries for Tynwald members to support their parliamentary work. As a small parliament, we do not have a large team of researchers with individual subject specialisms. The result is that we never know what is going to come across our desks next, and I have been able to learn about a variety of interesting subjects that I would not have otherwise considered.    

The first part of my internship has been a big learning curve. I have enjoyed finding out about how Tynwald functions, I have been given some big responsibilities and am looking forwards to the rest of my year here.