Isle of Man first in British Isles to legalise assisted dying, in historic victory for compassion
The Isle of Man is to legalise assisted dying after its Assisted Dying Bill cleared its final stage in Tynwald, the Manx Parliament, today (Tuesday 25th March 2025). The Isle of Man will become the first in the British Isles to legalise assisted dying after Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs – members of the upper house) agreed final amendments to the Bill today. The Bill, brought by Dr Alex Allinson MHK, a GP, will now be sent for Royal Assent before an implementation period begins, with assisted dying potentially available for terminally ill residents from 2027.
The Isle of Man Assisted Dying Bill 2023 will 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. It introduces greater protections for all islanders as well as greater choice for those who need and want it as they die. Today follows years of debate, scrutiny and amendments by both Houses of the Tynwald. In July 2024, Members of the House of Keys (MHKs – members of the Tynwald’s lower house) voted overwhelmingly (16:8) to pass the Bill at its Third Reading. In late January, MLCs voted to pass the Bill at its Third Reading by a landslide margin of 7:1.
Two in three (66%) people in the Isle of Man support 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.
Progress in the Isle of Man echoes significant developments in Westminster and Holyrood. Kim Leadbeater MP’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which covers England and Wales, will soon conclude its Committee Stage, 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.
The Committee has accepted amendments to strengthen the Bill such as mandatory training on coercion for professionals involved throughout the progress and to strengthen protections for disabled people. The Committee is today set to vote on amendments on establishing a judge-appointed expert panel to examine assisted dying requests, in addition to approval from two independent doctors, and establishing a disability advisory board to monitor the impact of the law on disabled people. Members have also heard expert testimony from medical and legal specialists, making the legislation the first Private Member’s Bill (PMB) in history to hear oral evidence.
In Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is expecting its first vote by the 23rd May 2025. In Jersey, States Members voted by two to one in May 2024 to introduce an assisted dying bill allowing the choice for terminally ill residents. Draft legislation will be debated by the end of 2025.
Sue Biggerstaff, from Ballabeg, whose husband Simon died of Motor Neurone Disease in 2022, said: “I am delighted that dying people like my husband Simon will soon have choice over their deaths. No one should have to suffer like he did at the end. I thank members of both Houses for their dedication and hard work on this process. History has been made today and Simon’s legacy is that people like him will soon be granted the compassion and choice that they deserve.”
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “This is a historic moment for compassion in the Isle of Man and for the whole of the British Isles. We pay tribute to Dr Allinson MHK for bringing forward this change and his commitment to a detailed and comprehensive legislative process. This is for Sue Biggerstaff’s husband Simon and Millie Blenkinsop-French’s son James, who died without choice over their deaths; and for many more families who have tirelessly called for change. Sue and Millie have lead the charge for choice in the Isle of Man and their campaigning means no one will be forced to suffer at the end.
“Dying people and their families are the lifeblood of the movement for choice at the end of life, powering progress right across the British Isles. Increasingly parliamentarians are listening to their experience, acting upon evidence from around the world and crafting legislation that is safe, fair, and right for each society, culture and healthcare system Change is coming across the British Isles and the Isle of Man has led the way.”
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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