‘Historic’ moment as Isle of Man’s Assisted Dying Bill heads for final debate before becoming law
The Isle of Man is set to become the first place in the British Isles to legalise assisted dying as the final debate of Dr Alex Allinson MHK’s Assisted Dying Bill is expected on Tuesday 25th February 2025. The Bill proposes that lawful assisted dying should be available as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent residents, subject to strict safeguards and alongside high-quality end-of-life care. 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 – a survey released in October 2023 found. The island’s lower and upper houses have approved the Bill, and on Tuesday it returns to the lower house to debate final amendments. Once approved, it will be sent for Royal Assent and an implementation period will begin, with the choice of assisted dying potentially available to terminally ill residents from 2027. Supporters and families affected by the blanket ban on assisted dying across the Isle of Man will gather in support of the Bill outside Tynwald from 9am. Photos and interview opportunities will be available on request.
In January, Members of the Legislative Council (MLC’s) voted to pass the Bill at its Third Reading by a landslide margin of 7-1. The Bill now returns to the House of Keys, when Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) will vote on whether to accept the amendments to the Bill made by MLCs.
The vote comes as Kim Leadbeater MP’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which covers England and Wales, goes through its Committee Stage in Westminster, during which the Bill Committee scrutinises the proposals line-by-line, after a majority of MPs voted to progress the Bill at its landmark Second Reading debate in November. In Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is expected to have its Stage 1 vote in the coming months. In Jersey, following the recommendations of a citizens’ jury to change the law and a landslide vote by the States Assembly in 2021 to support the principle of legalising assisted dying, States Members voted by two to one in May 2024 to introduce a Bill allowing the choice for terminally ill residents. Draft legislation will be debated by the end of 2025. Each Bill proposes to introduce the choice of assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent residents, with measures to assess eligibility, ensure medical oversight, and monitor every step of the assisted dying process, with greater protections as well as greater choice for those who need and want it as they die.
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “The Isle of Man is set to make history on Tuesday; likely to become the first place in the British Isles to grant its citizens true choice at the end of life. We pay special tribute to the Manx families who intimately understand the dangers of banning assisted dying, and who have fought for so long for a safer, fairer future. That future is now within touching distance.
“There is growing recognition across our Isles that banning assisted dying causes harm and fails to protect people. Dr Alex Allinson MHK’s Bill represents a thoughtful and balanced response to this problem, and Members of the House of Keys and Legislative Council should be commended for their leadership. This Bill has been developed through careful, evidence-based debate to bring choice for dying people who want and need it, and greater protections for everyone.
“This process is now being echoed in Westminster, where in November MPs voted by a clear majority to advance Kim Leadbeater MP’s Bill for England and Wales. It is now undergoing detailed scrutiny in order to deliver a law that protects and serves dying people and – crucially – improves on the dangerous, outdated status quo. Scotland and Jersey, too, are on the path to law change. Assisted dying is a movement whose time has come across the British Isles.”
*ENDS*
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