Press release
7th May 2024

Assisted Dying Bill set for critical debate in Isle of Man’s Tynwald, with two in three islanders backing law change

Debate can be listened to here from 10am: https://www.tynwald.org.im/business

Supporters of Dr Alex Allinson MHK’s Assisted Dying Bill, people whose loved ones have suffered under the current law, and representatives from Dignity in Dying will gather outside Tynwald as the Bill enters its critical Clauses stage on Tuesday 7th May 2024. Two in three (66%) people in the Isle of Man support the introduction of assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with more than half (53%) indicating strong support, a survey released in October 2023 found. During the Clauses stage, Members of the House of Keys will have the opportunity to debate each clause of the Bill, hear further evidence from experts and put forward any amendments. From 9am, photos and interviews will be available with Dignity in Dying spokespeople and supporters willing to share their personal stories of how their lives have been affected by the current law. Photos from the demonstration will also be available on request. This follows Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) voting by a significant majority (17 – 11) to progress the Bill at Second Reading last October. The Assisted Dying Bill, put forward by Dr Alex Allinson, MHK for Ramsey and a GP, proposes that the option of assisted dying should be available as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent residents, subject to strict safeguards. After the Clauses stage the Bill is expected to receive a Third Reading in the House of Keys this summer. If it passes this stage it will progress onto the Legislative Council for further debate and scrutiny. The Bill could then receive Royal Assent as soon as next year, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying potentially available to Manx residents from 2027. Dr Alex Allinson MHK said: “October’s historic parliamentary vote demonstrated the willingness for all Members of the House of Keys to listen to the people of the Isle of Man and move forward with this important and publicly backed Bill. For many years islanders have called for reform on this crucial issue and I have heard countless stories from those who have been cruelly affected by the current law. The strict safeguards in the Bill presents a real opportunity for Tynwald to grant the compassion, choice and protection that dying people and their families have been requesting for far too long. “I look forward to examining the Bill further with all Members of the House, and further strengthening the safeguarding provisions, during this Clauses stage. I urge my colleagues to continue to give this Bill their support and grasp this historic opportunity to improve the options and fully respect the dignity for people dying in the Isle of Man.” Millie Blenkinsop-French, an Isle of Man resident whose son James died of skin cancer in 2021 and herself has had breast cancer, said: “I hope MHKs will listen to the wishes of islanders who want to see the law change. My son died an agonising death from squamous cell carcinoma and I think he would have liked the choice of an assisted death to avoid the terrible pain that he went through. If my cancer ever returns, I would like choice over my own death. MHKs must continue to support this Bill and give us this choice – it is what Manx people want.” Francesca Hall, Campaigns and Engagement Manager at Dignity in Dying, said: “This is a chance for MHKs to progress a Bill that the Manx public have been calling out for, many of whom have seen their loved ones suffer at the end of life. Without an assisted dying law, some dying people will suffer painful deaths despite receiving good care, and some will resort to taking their own lives using dangerous methods. Having seen the harms done by the current law in his work as a GP, Dr Allinson MHK has brought the Bill to improve dying in the Isle of Man for the better. Tynwald will choose the law that is right for the Isle of Man, but it is clear that doing nothing and maintaining the status quo is the worst option of all. “We invite islanders to join us at our demo to show their support for this historic Bill and to show MHKs they have the chance to finally put things right for terminally ill Manx and their loved ones.”

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For more information or interview requests, please email Molly Pike, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07855209809