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  • Press release
  • 21st May 2024

Majority of Jersey citizens demand law change on assisted dying

• 61% of Jersey citizens support legalisation of assisted dying, with 51% strongly in favour • New polling released ahead of historic debate on assisted dying proposals • Comes as Chief Minister is handed letter from over 3,100 citizens calling for change
The majority of the citizens of Jersey support the legalisation of assisted dying with more than six in ten (61%) supporting reform. In new polling conducted by Island Global Research, when asked whether they support or oppose the law changing in Jersey to allow mentally competent, terminally ill adult residents the option of assisted dying, 51% of residents said they strongly support law change, while a further 10% said they somewhat support. The polling is released as States Members prepare to debate assisted dying proposals this week. From Tuesday 21st May onwards, States Members will debate and vote on the detailed proposition which was lodged in the Assembly nine weeks ago. Dozens of local people gathered outside the States Assembly this morning ahead of the debate. It comes after more than 3,100 Jersey residents signed an open letter calling for law change on assisted dying that urges States Members to press ahead with reform without further delay. The letter was handed to Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham by Jennifer Bridge MBE, former States Member, leader of Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group and lead signatory on the letter, on Monday. States Members voted by a landslide in 2021 to support the principle of legalising assisted dying – the first British Isles parliament to do so. This followed a citizens’ jury on the topic which overwhelmingly recommended legalisation. If the proposition is adopted following the debate this week, draft legislation will then be developed for debate by the end of 2025.

Jennifer Bridge MBE, former States Member and leader of the Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group, said:

“I was delighted to hand in our open letter to the Chief Minister. The thousands of people who added their name, coupled with this latest polling, yet again illustrates the huge strength of feeling on this crucial issue. The vast majority of us in Jersey want to see our cruel, outdated laws on assisted dying changed; States Members can no longer be in any doubt about that and they must have this front and centre of their minds during the debate this week. More than two years on from their historic vote to support the principle of assisted dying, some dying people in Jersey are still being forced to choose between suffering despite excellent palliative care, suicide or Switzerland. States Members must grasp the chance to right these wrongs, listen to our citizens and vote to progress choice and compassion for terminally ill people.”

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:

“This latest poll couldn’t be clearer: the citizens of Jersey are calling out for law change on assisted dying. States Members must act on this mandate when they come to debate and vote on proposals this week. Many islanders have seen first-hand the harms done by the blanket ban on assisted dying, a law which forces dying people to suffer against their wishes or take matters into their own hands, either behind closed doors in Jersey or abroad at huge financial cost. This historic debate is a critical opportunity for States Members to do the right thing and pave the way for a safer, kinder, more compassionate law for dying people. The Jersey public believe that assisted dying is a movement whose time has come for the island.”

*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.