The Legislative Council have started to debate Dr Alex Allinson’s Assisted Dying Bill today (Tuesday).

It follows the passing of its third reading in the House of Keys in July.

The Bill has progressed further than any other assisted dying bill ever introduced in the British Isles, after Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) voted 16:8 to progress the Bill to the Legislative Council, the island’s upper house.

This stage serves the purpose of outlining the underlying principles of the Bill, enabling debate around the wider subject matter and allowing Legislative Council Members an opportunity to identify specific concerns prior to consideration of clauses. 

It could then receive Royal Assent as soon as next year, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying potentially available to terminally ill Manx residents from 2027. 

These are the Legislative Council members that have now started debating Dr Alex Allinson’s Assisted Dying Bill.
These are the Legislative Council members that have now started debating Dr Alex Allinson’s Assisted Dying Bill. (Media Isle of Man )

The Bill, introduced by Dr Allinson, MHK for Ramsey and a GP, 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.

The legislation aims to provide terminally ill individuals with the choice to end their suffering on their own terms. A House of Keys sitting on Tuesday, July 23 was MHKs last chance to put their views across.

MHKs completed the clauses stage of the controversial Bill earlier in July, following seven days of debate across three months.

Today (Tuesday, October 22), Peter Greenhill MLC is introducing the Bill for its principles stage.

The Legislative Council cannot vote the Bill down, only amend and delay it by up to 12 months.

All the island's 24 MHKs. Pictures highlighted in green denote the 16 MHKs who voted in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill during the third reading on Tuesday. The pictures highlighted in red denote the eight MHKs who voted against the Bill
All the island's 24 MHKs. Pictures highlighted in green denote the 16 MHKs who voted in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill during the third reading on Tuesday. The pictures highlighted in red denote the eight MHKs who voted against the Bill (-)