24 July 2026 marked an important milestone for the Fair Settlement Isle of Man campaign.

Following a debate in Tynwald, Members unanimously supported the amended motion arising from the public petition submitted by Vanessa Naudé and signed by 1,968 people.

The motion calls on the Isle of Man Government to:

• raise concerns with the UK Government about the potential impact of future changes to settlement timelines, including the potential for transitional protections for residents already on routes to settlement under the immigration rules in force when their leave was granted; and

• implement and publish any agreed transitional arrangements, including eligibility criteria and timelines, so that residents and employers have certainty and can plan responsibly.

For everyone who signed the petition, completed our surveys, shared their story or contacted their MHK, this was an important moment. The concerns raised by the community were not only heard - they were debated respectfully and supported unanimously by Tynwald.

A constructive debate

The debate reflected the complexity of the issue.

Members recognised the uncertainty created by the UK Government's ongoing review of settlement policy and the fact that no final decision has yet been announced. Several speakers also acknowledged the Isle of Man's unique demographic challenges, workforce needs and the importance of considering the implications for employers, families and the wider economy.

There were differing views about the extent to which the Isle of Man can diverge from future UK immigration arrangements because of the Common Travel Area. However, there was broad agreement that the concerns of people already living and working on the Island deserved to be represented in discussions with the UK Government.

The amended motion reflected that position, recognising both the constitutional realities and the need to seek appropriate transitional protections should they become necessary.

Thank you

This campaign would not have been possible without the support of hundreds of people across the Island.

Our sincere thanks go to:

• the 1,968 petitioners who supported the petition;

• everyone who completed our community and employer surveys;

• those who shared their personal stories and experiences;

• the employers and organisations who contributed evidence;

• everyone who took the time to write to their MHK.

A special thank you goes to the late John Wannenburgh MHK, who presented the petition and championed the issue throughout the process. His support throughout this campaign was invaluable, and the unanimous support the petition ultimately received is part of the legacy he leaves behind. We will always be grateful that John chose to stand with this community and help carry its case to the heart of Manx democracy. He is deeply missed.

We are also grateful to Minister Chris Thomas MHK for his constructive engagement and for bringing forward amendments that enabled the motion to secure unanimous support.

Finally, we thank the Hon. Members of Tynwald for the respectful and thoughtful way in which they approached the debate and for their unanimous support of the amended motion.

What happens next?

The UK Government has not yet announced its final settlement policy.

The campaign has therefore entered a new phase.

The Isle of Man Government will now continue its discussions with the UK Government, raising concerns about the potential impact of any future changes to settlement timelines, including the potential for transitional protections for people already on routes to settlement.

Fair Settlement Isle of Man will continue to monitor developments, engage constructively and keep the community informed as further announcements are made.

Listen to the debate

Following requests from supporters, we have created an audio version of the debate using the official transcript.

If you would like to hear the discussion for yourself, you can listen here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/165ezvQffFg/