Press release
21st June 2024

Assisted Dying Bill set for next critical debate in Isle of Man’s Tynwald after key clauses voted through with large majorities

Photocall: Tuesday 25th June 2024 at 9am outside Tynwald building, Finch Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PW

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 for the next debate in the critical Clauses stage on Tuesday 25th June 2024. From 9am, photos and interviews will be available with Dignity in Dying’s Chief 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. Tuesday’s sitting may be carried on to the next day, Wednesday 26th June, as it is the last House of Keys sitting before the summer recess. This follows the first Clauses debate last month when the first votes on the detail of the legislation saw large majorities backing key Clauses and constructive amendments to the Bill. In the first session, Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) voted by a large margin (15-9) for the eligibility of assisted dying to be for those who have been given a prognosis of 12 months left to live, while they voted 14-10 for the eligibility to be open to those have been residents of the Isle of Man for a minimum of five years. At the second session of the clauses stage, MHKs defeated attempts by opponents of law change to severely limit access for eligible patients and to remove the choice from healthcare entirely, voting them down 9-15. During the third session of the clauses stage, held earlier this month, MHKs voted 19-4 in favour of limiting assisted dying to self-administration, removing the possibility of a doctor directly ending the life of their patient. The Clauses stage follows 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. 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. After the Clauses stage the Bill is expected to receive a Third Reading in the House of Keys in the coming months. 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.

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