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Nationalist Party Wants British Oath Abolishing

Tue, 02 Oct 2018

If Tynwald chose to remove the requirement for new members of the House of Keys to swear allegiance to the British Crown, Mec Vannin would contest elections.

That’s according to party chairman Mark Kermode, who says it’s up to Manx politicians to drop the oath and Mec Vannin members are unwilling to tell ‘untruths’ to get in to power.

He claims it’s not the nationalist party’s responsibility to change the swearing in ceremony, and points to the Northern Irish Assembly as an example where parliamentarians aren’t required to swear allegiance.

It follows a recent Positive Action Group (PAG) meeting on party politics, where it was suggested Mec Vannin might be considered a pressure group not a party, due to its lack of involvement in national elections.

One of the oldest political organisations on the Island, Mec Vannin was formed in 1962 with the aim of achieving independence from the Crown.

Only one member from the party’s ranks has ever been successfully elected to the House of Keys, though former members have gone on to play a role in national politics.

The nationalists were invited to the PAG event but couldn’t attend due to a clash with the party’s own meetings.

Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne asked Mr Kermode whether Mec Vannin was turning into a pressure group:

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Media

• Mark Kermode Mec Vannin