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There has been "overwhelming support" for allowing assisted deaths in the Isle of Man with campaigners saying it will now be the first British jurisdiction to change its laws.
The Dying in Dignity group said yesterday's 17-7 vote in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill at the Second Reading was "a victory for compassion and a testament to the power of the many moving personal stories shared throughout this debate".
Deputy Gavin St Pier, who brought a debate to Guernsey's States on the topic in 2018, was following the discussions in the Isle of Man yesterday.
Amazing to see the Isle of Man firmly on the road to giving individuals greater end of life choice. https://t.co/Lf03h4PymM
— Gavin St Pier ???????? (@gavinstpier) October 31, 2023
The Assisted Dying Bill won 70% of the vote at its Second Reading in the Tynwald (the Isle of Man’s Parliament) having been brought by Dr Alex Allinson, Member of the House of Keys for Ramsey.
“Today marks the start of real change in the Isle of Man to give terminally ill people much-needed choice and protection at the end of life," the GP said.
"I look forward to working closely with Tynwald members, healthcare bodies and clinicians as this Bill progresses. Together, we will improve the range of choices for people dying in the Isle of Man.”
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of the Dignity in Dying group echoed that, saying that Members of the House of Keys have "heard the overwhelming call for change from the Manx people and voted yes to dignity today".
“This is a historic vote, one which puts the Isle of Man on the path to become the first part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying," she said.
"It joins countries like Australia, New Zealand and the US by acknowledging that without choice, dying people suffer.
“This is a turning point in the movement for assisted dying, which is only going in one direction: towards giving dying people choice across the British Isles. Westminster must take account of the Isle of Man’s vote, as well as progress towards law change in Jersey and Scotland, and make time for the debate on assisted dying.”
Pictured: There was vocal public support when Deputy St Pier unsuccessfully attempted to persuade lawmakers to back reforms.
The next step in the Isle of Man will see a further vote on Tuesday 7 November on the next steps for scrutiny of the legislation, after which MHKs can propose amendments to the Bill. There will then be a Third Reading in the House of Keys before it progresses onto the Legislative Council.
The Bill could receive Royal Assent next year, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying likely to be available in the Isle of Man in 2025.
Local polls in the Isle of Man had shown that two in three (66%) respondents supported the introduction of assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with more than half (53%) indicating strong support.
A previous poll staged in 2021 indicated two thirds support for legalising assisted dying across the Crown Dependencies.
Pictured: Jersey made history last year, becoming the first government in the British Isles to agree to assisted dying in principle.
Deputy St Pier's efforts to introduce legislation to allow assisted dying in Guernsey were defeated by 24 votes to 14 in 2018, but it shone a national spotlight on the issue which has not ebbed since.
The debate here was followed by one in Jersey where assisted dying was backed in principle.
A citizens assembly vote in France earlier this year showed strong support for reform while ethics boards in western countries reportedly also becoming increasingly concerned that end-of-life care is not being taken seriously enough, with patients being denied dignity in their final chapter.
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