Assisted dying bill shows 'opinion shift' - MHK

Alex Allinson put forward the private member's bill on the Isle of Man

Plans for a bill to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to end their lives highlighted a "change in public opinion" on the issue, a Manx politician has said.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is expected to formally introduce the proposals on 16 October in the House of Commons.

Alex Allinson MHK moved a private members bill on the Isle of Man, which has been passed by the House of Keys and will next be considered by the Legislative Council.

But he said any changes in Westminster would not affect island residents as the Manx bill was being devised to suit "our community and our island".

If approved, the Isle of Man's Assisted Dying Bill 2023 would allow adults given a prognosis of 12 months or less left to live, and have lived on the island for five years, the right to choose to end their lives.

Supporters argue it would ease suffering, while those against have raised concerns some terminally-ill people could feel pressured to end their lives.

Campaigners for and against the Manx bill regularly demonstrated outside the House of Keys

The details of Leadbeater's bill have not been finalised but it is likely to be similar to a proposal introduced in the House of Lords in July.

Scotland and Jersey are also considering changes to the law.

Allinson said potential legislative changes across the British Isles demonstrated politicians were "responding to a change in public opinion and also the desire to do better for people who have a terminal illness facing an imminent death".

While the "needs of UK might be slightly different" laws changes in both jurisdictions could allow for collaboration on training for medical professionals, he said.

However, he said if the change was not adopted in England and Wales it should not "stall our effort to provide the option" for people on the island, he said.

The Manx bill is expected to be put forward for its first stage in the Legislative Council by Peter Greenhill MLC later this month.