The Isle of Man is on the brink of making history as it moves closer to legalising assisted dying, with a crucial vote set to take place in the island’s parliament, the House of Keys, on Tuesday. If passed, the Bill will progress to the Legislative Council for final scrutiny, bringing the island one step closer to becoming the first part of the British Isles to introduce an assisted dying service, potentially by 2027.
The proposed law, introduced in 2022 as a private member’s bill by Dr Alex Allinson MHK, aims to provide terminally ill adults with the legal right to end their lives under strict conditions. Dr Allinson, who represents Ramsey, has expressed optimism that the Bill will gain the necessary support and could receive royal assent later this year.
“I’m hopeful that the understanding and the consensus that we’ve reached during our own deliberations will allow the Bill to progress,” he told the PA news agency. “This will be another step forward in terms of advancing the legislation.”
If approved by the House of Keys on Tuesday, the Bill will proceed to the Legislative Council next month for further debate. Should it pass there, it will then be submitted for royal assent, a process that could take place in the coming months. With regulations and safeguards still to be finalised, an assisted dying service is expected to be operational by 2027.
A carefully regulated approach
Under the proposed law, assisted dying would only be available to adults who have been resident on the Isle of Man for at least five years, have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of no more than 12 months, and have made a clear, settled intention to end their life.
The Bill also includes provisions to protect medical professionals who choose to participate in assisted dying. Following discussions with the British Medical Association (BMA), an opt-in model has been agreed, ensuring that only doctors who wish to be involved in the process will be required to do so.
One of the key changes recommended by the Legislative Council is to reduce the residency requirement from five years to just one year post-diagnosis. However, Dr Allinson has indicated that the House of Keys is likely to reject this amendment, maintaining a stricter eligibility criterion.
Opposition and ethical concerns
Despite the progress of the Bill, opposition remains. Campaigners against assisted dying argue that legalisation could put pressure on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, disabled, and those with chronic illnesses, to end their lives prematurely out of fear of becoming a burden.
Critics have also warned that while safeguards are in place, there remains a risk of coercion and a potential erosion of palliative care services. Religious and ethical groups have voiced concerns that legalising assisted dying undermines the fundamental principle of valuing human life and could lead to unintended consequences in the future.
Growing momentum for change across the British Isles
The Isle of Man’s move comes as debates over assisted dying intensify across the British Isles. In May last year, Jersey’s parliament voted to draft legislation that would allow terminally ill individuals to seek assistance in dying. If approved, Jersey could see an assisted dying service in place by mid-2027, similar to the Isle of Man’s timeline.
In England and Wales, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is currently undergoing line-by-line scrutiny by a parliamentary committee. The Bill, which has sparked national debate, is expected to return to the House of Commons for further debate and a vote later this year.
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, welcomed the developments on the Isle of Man, calling Tuesday’s vote a “historic moment.”
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“The Isle of Man is set to make history; likely to become the first place in the British Isles to grant its citizens true choice at the end of life,” she said.
“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.”
She added: “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.”
A landmark decision approaching
If the House of Keys votes in favour of the Bill on Tuesday, it will mark a major milestone in the island’s legislative process and signal a potential shift in attitudes towards assisted dying within the British Isles.
Should the legislation ultimately be enacted, the Isle of Man will join a growing number of jurisdictions worldwide that have legalised assisted dying, including parts of Australia, Canada, and several US states.
With the final decision now resting on lawmakers, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Isle of Man will take the historic step of legalising assisted dying and setting a precedent for the wider British Isles.
