House of Keys facts for kids

Quick facts for kids House of Keys Yn Kiare as Feed
Type
Type	Lower house of the High Court of Tynwald
Leadership
Speaker	Juan Watterson Since 27 September 2016
Structure
Seats	24 MHKs
Political groups	Independent (21)      Manx Labour (2)      Liberal Vannin Party (1)
Elections
Voting system	Multiple non-transferable vote
Last election	23 September 2021
Next election	September 2026
Meeting place
Chamber of the House of Keys, Legislative Buildings, Douglas

Isle of Man

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Isle of Man

Lord of Mann: Elizabeth II Lieutenant Governor: Adam Wood Deputy Governor: David Doyle Tynwald President of Tynwald: Clare Christian Legislative Council President: Clare Christian House of Keys Speaker: Steve Rodan Deputy Speaker: Geoff Corkish Clerk of the House: Roger Phillips Registrar of Member's Interests: Roger Phillips Chaplain: Revd. William Martin Reader of the House: Dr. Brian Stowell Government Council of Ministers Chief Minister: Hon. Allan Bell MHK Minister for the Treasury: Hon. Eddie Teare MHK Minister for Economic Development: Hon. John Shimmin MHK Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture: Hon. Phil Gawne MHK Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure: Hon. Tim Crookall MHK Minister for Education and Children: Hon. Peter Karran MHK Minister for Health: Hon. David Anderson MHK Minister for Home Affairs: Hon. Juan Watterson MHK Minister for Infrastructure: Hon. David Cretney MHK Minister for Social Care: Hon. Chris Robertshaw MHK Chief Secretary: Will Greenhow Manx Judiciary Attorney General: Stephen Harding First Deemster (English): David Doyle Second Deemster (Manx): Andrew Corlett Deemster: Alastair Montgomerie Judge of Appeal: Geoffrey Tattersall High Bailiff: John Needham Deputy High Bailiff: Jayne Hughes Keys Constituencies Local Government Political parties Elections Officials of State Parish Captains

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The House of Keys (which in Manx Gaelic is called Yn Kiare as Feed) is like the main part of the Tynwald, which is the parliament (or law-making body) of the Isle of Man. It's the 'lower house' because its members are directly chosen by the people. The other part of Tynwald is called the Legislative Council.

History of the House of Keys

The name "House of Keys" has been around for a very long time. The oldest mention of it was in 1417. Back then, it was called Claves Mann (meaning 'Keys of Mann') or Claves Legis ('Keys of Law') in Latin.

People aren't completely sure where the name "Keys" came from. Some think it might be an English version of an old Norse word, kjósa, which means 'to choose'. However, a more likely idea is that it sounds like the Manx Gaelic words for 'four and twenty': kiare as feed. This makes sense because the House of Keys has always had 24 members. In Manx Gaelic, it's still called Yn Kiare as Feed.

How the House of Keys Works

Members of the House of Keys are known as MHKs, which stands for Members of the House of Keys.

Becoming an MHK

To vote in an election for the House of Keys, you need to be at least 16 years old. If you want to become an MHK yourself, you must be at least 18 years old. You also need to have lived on the Isle of Man for three years.

The Isle of Man is divided into 12 areas, or constituencies. Most of these areas are based on older regions called sheadings or local towns. Each of these 12 areas chooses two MHKs to represent them. People vote for up to two candidates in their area.

Normally, MHKs serve for five years. But sometimes, the House of Keys can be dissolved (or ended) earlier than that.

The Speaker of the House of Keys

The Speaker of the House of Keys (often called the SHK) is an MHK chosen by the other members to lead their meetings. The Speaker can vote in the House of Keys, but they don't have to. However, if there's a tie vote, the Speaker must cast the deciding vote. The Speaker also helps lead the joint meetings of Tynwald.

Making Laws

The House of Keys has a lot of power in making laws. They choose 8 out of the 11 members of the Legislative Council. New laws usually start in the House of Keys. The Legislative Council then reviews these laws, like a second check. This means the House of Keys has more power than the Council.

Tynwald Court Meetings

About once a month, the House of Keys and the Legislative Council meet together. This joint meeting is called Tynwald Court. During the COVID pandemic, these meetings happened more often.

The President of Tynwald leads these joint meetings and also leads the Legislative Council. But once a year, on Tynwald Day (the Isle of Man's national day), the Lieutenant Governor (who represents the King or Queen) leads the meeting.

Where the House of Keys Meets

The House of Keys usually meets in its special room inside the Legislative Buildings in Douglas. The members sit in alphabetical order based on the name of their constituency. Those who got the most votes in their area sit in the front row.

On March 14, 2017, the House of Keys met in the Old House of Keys in Castletown. This was the first time they had met there since 1874! It was to celebrate 150 years since the first elected House of Keys. During the COVID pandemic, some meetings were held online or partly online.

Elections

General elections for the House of Keys happen regularly. The last one was on September 23, 2021. The next election is planned for September 2026.

Images for kids

• 

  The chamber where the House of Keys meets in Douglas.

See also

Learn more about the House of Keys!

• In Spanish: Cámara de las Llaves para niños