Isle of Man’s Assisted Dying Bill passes key vote

The Isle of Man moved one step closer to a compassionate assisted dying law today, as Dr Alex Allinson’s Assisted Dying Bill passed the third reading, 16 to 8. My Death, My Decision welcomes this historic move.  

The House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, Isle of Man’s parliament, made several amendments to the Bill published in May.

• People who have been given 12 months left to live by a doctor will be eligible, rather than the originally proposed six months 
• Patients must be a resident of the Isle of Man for a minimum of five years, rather than one year. 
• Doctors will not be allowed to administer assisted dying, patients will have to take medication themselves.

Regrettably, the law will not extend the choice of help to die to the incurably suffering, who are not necessarily terminally ill. That means that those suffering unbearably from conditions like Huntington’s or Locked-in Syndrome will be denied the option to end their suffering.

The debate’s earlier session heard an emotional plea against the referendum amendment from Sue Biggerstaff whose late husband Simon suffered a horrific death from motor neurone disease (MND). Simon’s life, as he endured paralysis from the neck down within just two months of his diagnosis, ended in avoidable pain and suffering. 

Mrs Biggerstaff told politicians: “There was a total loss of dignity. He couldn’t speak properly, couldn’t do anything… There were so many horrible, horrible things happening to him. Nobody should have to live through it. It’s just awful. Awful.”

The Bill will now go onto the Legislative Council, the Isle of Man’s upper chamber, for further debate. It could then receive Royal Assent in 2025, followed by consideration of how the law will be implemented. Assisted dying could potentially be available to terminally ill people from 2027.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision said:

“Today we have seen historic developments as the Isle of Man moves toward a compassionate option for people at the end of their life. We hope politicians in England and Wales look towards the Island as a positive example when the issue comes up for debate in Westminster before too long.

At My Death, My Decision we believe that competent adults who are intolerably suffering from incurable conditions  – like locked-in syndrome, or for example paralysed after an accident – deserve the choice of an assisted, dignified death. That is what we will continue to campaign for.”

Notes

Media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

An Assisted Dying Bill has been introduced in the House of Lords. Lord Falconer of Thoroton was chosen second in the ballot to introduce the “Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill [HL] “, which will have it’s first reading on Friday 26 July. My Death, My Decision welcomes the bill for initiating a much-needed debate. However, we are disappointed that it is limited to terminally ill patients and does not extend to those with incurable conditions like multiple sclerosis or locked-in syndrome.

Since it was drawn second, the Bill is likely to be debated over the coming year. If it receives sufficient support, it could become law. Keir Starmer recently doubled down on his vow to give the bill enough parliamentary time to pass.

Lord Falconer made a previous attempt to change the law in 2014 but it failed due to the impending General Election in 2015, despite passing the Second Reading in the House of Lords. 

Currently, assisting someone to end their life is a criminal offence in England and Wales, carrying a maximum prison sentence of up to fourteen years. However, if the Assisted Dying Bill becomes law, people suffering from terminal illnesses could be helped to die provided they reached a voluntary decision. Previous attempts to change the law included the need for an independent judge.

However, this Bill has already limited itself just to terminally adults. This means politicians won’t even have the opportunity to debate whether people who are not terminally ill should have access to an assisted dying. This means people with conditions like mutlple sclerosis and locked-in syndrome will be banned from accessing the law. 

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision said:

“We welcome that changing the law on assisted dying will soon come before Parliament, particularly in light of the Prime Minister’s assurance that the government will ensure proper time for a debate and vote on the issue.

Nevertheless, in being restricted to the terminally ill, the Bill risks discriminating against those suffering unbearably from incurable conditions, like Huntington’s and Locked-in Syndrome, so we will continue to campaign on their behalf.This could be the beginning of the end of a successful campaign to give people compassion and autonomy.”

Notes

Media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

We now have a new parliament, with a radically different makeup from the last one. So what does that mean for assisted dying?

Members of Parliament:

One of the rare things that all political parties seem to agree on, is that assisted dying should be a free vote. Most votes on laws in the UK are government bills, introduced by the people in power, and are ‘whipped’, meaning the parties tell their politicians how to vote. 

Assisted dying is different. A change in the law will most likely have to be introduced by an individual MP, rather than the government, and it will be a free vote, meaning each MP will be able to vote on it with their ‘conscience’.

This election has led to one of the newest parliaments in our history. 

The last vote on assisted dying was nearly a decade ago, and MPs voted overwhelmingly against it. 329 against, 117 in favour, a difference of 213.

• 210 Conservative MPs voted against, only 27 voted in favour.
• 91 Labour MPs voted against, 72 voted in favour.
• 3 Liberal Democrat MPs voted against, three in favour.
• 11 SNP MPs voted against, 14 in favour.

Our new parliament now has a Labour majority, with 412 Labour MPs, completely changing the political makeup. Back in 2015, we can see the difference between Labour MPs voting for and against was a lot closer.

There are now 71 Liberal Democrat MPs. The Liberal Democrat Party have a policy to support assisted dying for the terminally ill, but as mentioned, MPs would still have a free vote on this. There are similarly four new Green MPs, with the Green Party also having a policy of supporting assisted dying.

So looking at the number of MPs alone, an assisted dying law should have a considerably better chance of passing.

Changes since the last vote:

It’s worth remembering that there have been enormous changes since the last vote on assisted dying.

Medical opinion has changed massively since the last vote. In 2021 the British Medical Association (BMA), the largest doctors’ union in the UK, moved to a neutral position, after 50% of its members believed there should be a change in the law. 

The Royal Colleges of Nursing, Surgeons, Physicians, Psychiatrists and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society all hold neutral positions on assisted dying.

A year-long inquiry into assisted dying by parliament, which published its final report in February 2024, said end-of-life care can be improved by introducing assisted dying. It said: 

‘In the evidence we received, we did not see any indications of palliative and end-of-life care deteriorating in quality or provision following the introduction [of assisted dying]; indeed the introduction of [assisted dying] has been linked with an improvement in palliative care in several jurisdictions.’

There’s more data on assisted dying than ever before. According to the Office of Health Economics, in the UK, even if every dying person who needed it had access to good quality palliative care, 6,394 people per year would still have no effective pain relief in the final three months of their life. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) released a report that showed serious health conditions more than double suicide rates.

It’s has become ever clearer that assisted dying is the most compassionate way forward as an end-of-life choice for those who wish it.

Prime Minister:

During the last vote on assisted dying, the then Prime Minister David Cameron indicated he was not in favour.

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, became the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in 2008. The DPP leads the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in England and Wales. Key duties include:

• Determining if there is enough evidence and public interest to prosecute.
• Providing legal guidance to prosecutors.
• Handling major or complex cases.
• Working to improve the criminal justice system.

The DPP’s responsibility is to make the criminal justice system fair and effective.

One of the first cases Starmer dealt with was Daniel James, 23, who was paralysed when the scrum collapsed on him during rugby training. Daniel travelled to Switzerland to end his life accompanied by his parents because he did not want to die alone. Starmer had to decide whether to bring his parents to court, and he chose that putting the family in the dock would be against the public interest.

The next assisted dying case to come across his desk was that of Debbie Purdy, who had multiple sclerosis and wanted to know in advance whether her husband Omar would be prosecuted if he helped her die.

Purdy won her case in The House of Lords, which at the time was the highest court in the UK. They said that the DPP must spell out which facts and circumstances the CPS would take into account in assisted dying cases.

Starmer devised a radical new policy: individuals motivated by compassion to help someone die were unlikely to be prosecuted. This policy is still used by prosecutors today. However, doctors are more likely to be prosecuted for assisting in the suicide of someone in their care.

Starmer’s recent comments:

Sir Keir Starmer has said that he is in favour of assisted dying.

Sir Keir made the commitment when speaking in a phone call with broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who announced in December that she had joined the Swiss assisted dying centre Dignitas. 

Sir Keir told Esther: “I’m personally in favour of changing the law… I think we need to make time. We will make the commitment. Esther, I can give you that commitment right now.”

Starmer has intense insider knowledge of the debate and the intricacies of it – indeed he’s been a core part of one of the biggest changes to assisted dying in the UK.

Leaders make a big difference. It is said that David Cameron’s support of equal marriage in 2013 considerably aided the free vote to pass. 

What comes next?

We still have an almighty task of getting an assisted dying debate in the first place. As mentioned above, assisted dying will most likely have to be a Private Members’ Bill and those are quite literally chosen at random.

The next opportunity for one of those is roughly two weeks after the King’s speech, where the 20 MPs will be chosen to introduce their choice of bill. (415 MPs entered the ballot in November 2023).

If an MP chooses to promote a bill on assisted dying, we will hope to work closely with them to produce the most compassionate law possible. If that happens, we really could see an assisted dying law in England and Wales before the end of the decade.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“This new parliament represents the biggest opportunity for an assisted dying law change that England and Wales has ever seen. Public and medical opinion have changed massively since the last vote in 2015. The time has therefore come for politicians to reflect that and change the law.

“We will work with this new parliament to make the case for change. We need the public’s support to make this happen. Adults who are intolerably suffering from a condition without a cure deserve the right to make a choice about their lives and their deaths. It’s in politicians’ hands to achieve that.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Last night, at an event organised by Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision to reflect on ten years since the pivotal ruling in R (Nicklinson) v Ministry of Justice, Lady Hale reflected that it is cruel and inhumane to force people who are incurably suffering to go on living against their will. 

Lauren Nicklinson, daughter of assisted dying campaigner Tony Nicklinson, shared how her father had wished he had died and that an ambulance had never been called. She also spoke emotionally about the hate the family received, “We had letters from religious organisations telling us we were going to burn in hell.”

Lauren Nicklinson said:

“I appreciate that some people value life for what it is. But please do not deny everyone else the freedom of choice because it conflicts with your own moral or religious values.

Because ultimately this is all about autonomy and individual choice. What is right for you isn’t necessarily right for me and vice versa. Dad wanted to bring about his death – not anyone else’s. And if my brain is battered by a blood clot one day and history is repeated, I am confident I would want a way out – but I am certain I would want that choice as a minimum.”

Tony Nicklinson experienced a devastating stroke that left him with Locked-in Syndrome, paralysing him from the neck down with his only form of communication being through eye movements. After the High Court ruled against him in 2012, Tony died two weeks later from pneumonia, having refused food and treatment.

Jane Nicklinson, Tony’s widow, continued the legal battle with Paul Lamb, a former builder and father of two, who was paralysed from the neck down in 1990. They took the case through the Court of Appeal and ultimately to the Supreme Court. On 25 June 2014, the Supreme Court ruled against the Nicklinsons and Paul Lamb with a notable dissent from two judges, Lady Hale and Lord Kerr.

When asked about the lack of nuanced political debate on assisted dying in England and Wales, The Right Honourable Baroness Hale of Richmond said:

“I wish more politicians would say ‘this is hard, but it needs to looked at and it needs to be sorted and we’re going to work hard at getting the best result.’ Why don’t you say that? This is hard and the hard questions are the really important questions. We have answered a lot of very hard questions in this country and we could still do that.”

Lady Hale said:

“Parliament has not put things right, despite all the evidence that the public would support a change in the law. And such proposals as have been debated are limited to terminally ill people with only a few months to live…Of course, there must be proper safeguards to make sure that their decisions are freely made. But it is cruel and inhumane to force them to go on living against their will That is why I support My Death, My Decision.”

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“Tonight we honoured Tony Nicklinson and Paul Lamb, fearless advocates for the right to a compassionate death. Their tragic conditions were not terminal, highlighting the injustice of recent parliamentary Bills that, if passed, would have restricted assisted dying to those who are terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or fewer. That would have been both arbitrary and discriminatory.

“Parliament has long avoided addressing assisted dying. It is our hope that the forthcoming parliamentary session will allow a full debate and vote on a change in the law that we know has overwhelming public support.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Today marks ten years since the pivotal ruling in R (Nicklinson) v Ministry of Justice, where the Supreme Court concluded that any decision to change the law on assisted dying is for parliament. My Death, My Decision commemorates the determination of the Nicklinson family, Paul Lamb and all advocates who have championed the right to die. We urge the next parliament to address this crucial issue.

Tony Nicklinson experienced a devastating stroke that left him with Locked-in Syndrome, paralysing him from the neck down with his only form of communication being through eye movements. Describing his existence as a “living nightmare,” he campaigned passionately for the right to ask for help to end his life. After the High Court ruled against him in 2012, Tony died two weeks later from pneumonia, having refused food and treatment.

Jane Nicklinson, Tony’s widow, continued the legal battle with Paul Lamb, a former builder and father of two, who was paralysed from the neck down in 1990. They took the case through the Court of Appeal and ultimately to the Supreme Court. On 25 June 2014, the Supreme Court ruled against the Nicklinsons and Paul Lamb with a notable dissent from two judges, Lady Hale and Lord Kerr, who would have been willing to make an order that our existing laws were incompatible with Tony’s rights under the Human Rights Act.

Paul Lamb died in 2021.

Lady Hale and the Nicklinson family are set to speak at our event on 26 June. Lady Hale will share her reflections on the Nicklinson case and its lasting influence on the conversation about assisted dying.

The Right Honourable Baroness Hale of Richmond said:

“Ten years ago, the Supreme Court decided the cases of Tony Nicklinson and Paul Lamb, incurably suffering but not terminally ill men who wanted and needed help to take their own lives in the time and manner of their choosing. Five of the nine Justices held that the Court could make a declaration that the current law banning assisted suicide was incompatible with the human rights of people like Tony Nicholson and Paul Lamb, but three of those five said that Parliament should be given the opportunity of putting things right first (the other four said that it was a matter for Parliament alone). 

But Parliament has not put things right, despite all the evidence that the public would support a change in the law. And such proposals as have been debated are limited to terminally ill people with only a few months to live. They would not help people like Tony Nicklinson and Paul Lamb. Of course, there must be proper safeguards to make sure that their decisions are freely made. But it is cruel and inhumane to force them to go on living against their will. That is why I support My Death, My Decision.”

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“25th June will be a moment for us to honour Tony Nicklinson and Paul Lamb, fearless advocates for the right to a compassionate death. Their tragic conditions were not terminal, highlighting the injustice of recent parliamentary Bills that, if passed, would have restricted assisted dying to those who are terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or fewer.

“We look forward to hearing from Lady Hale on this historic anniversary. Parliament has long avoided addressing assisted dying. It is our hope that the forthcoming parliamentary session will allow a full debate and vote on a law that we know has overwhelming public support.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Mark Drakeford, former first minister of Wales, has spoken in favour of a full UK-wide assisted dying law. Speaking at the Humanists UK convention in Cardiff, Drakeford said assisted dying should be a right across the UK. My Death, My Decision hopes that all political leaders take note and welcome the huge political momentum in support of assisted dying.

In the Q&A, Drakeford was asked if he thought assisted dying should be a devolved matter. 

Mark Drakeford, former first minister of Wales, said:

“I think assisted dying would pass through the Senedd and I would certainly be a supporter of it myself. But I would much rather that it was one of those things that we did on a UK-wide basis. 

You know, I am a fierce believer in devolution, that in Wales, we should take control of our own domestic agenda as much as possible. But I’m also a believer in the United Kingdom, and I believe that something – some rights – in the way that I was describing earlier, should belong to you as a result of your citizenship of the United Kingdom. And you can imagine all the unintended consequences there would be if assisted dying was available in Wrexham but not available in Chester. 

I believe it is one of the things that I would see as a right. I believe you have a right to take control of the way in which you leave this world.”

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“It was heartening to hear this support for the right to a dignified, compassionate assisted death from Mark Drakeford. We hope that current political leaders take note of this thoughtful response from the former first minister of Wales.

People who are suffering deserve choice, dignity and compassion. We should not stand in the way of an adult of sound mind who is suffering unbearably from an incurable condition and has come to a settled wish to die. We urge the next Westminster parliament to vote for change.”

When asked last week by Julie Morgan MS “What steps is the Welsh Government taking towards the devolution of powers regarding assisted dying to Wales?”, the Welsh Government replied:

“Welsh Government does not have plans to seek devolution of powers for assisted dying. This is a complex issue with moral and legal considerations, and we have agreed with the UK Government on a neutral position. We continue working with the NHS in Wales to provide high-quality end-of-life care and support to people.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Three of the four major parties have mentioned assisted dying in their manifesto. Two party leaders have pledged to support a vote on assisted dying in the past.

This article is limited to England & Wales. This is not an endorsement of any political party but a factual analysis of information in the public domain.

Here’s a breakdown of what each party said:

Conservative Party:

The manifesto states:

“We will maintain the position that assisted dying is a matter of conscience and will respect the will of Parliament. Debates on assisted dying should never distract from the importance of delivering high-quality palliative care services and we will continue to support children’s and adults’ hospices.”

This is less of a clear pledge compared to what Rishi Sunak, leader of the party, pledged back in February this year, when he said he would support allowing enough parliamentary time for a meaningful debate and vote on assisted dying. Mr Sunak also pledged to introduce assisted dying laws if parliament wanted to change the law, saying the government would “facilitate” it in a “legally effective” way.

Sunak made the comments to campaigner Matt Ryan, 44, who told him that reforms could have eased the suffering his family faced when both his father, David Minns, and his sister, Katie, died from cancer.

Green Party:

The manifesto states: 

“Elected Greens will back changing the law on assisted dying. We support a humane and dignified approach to terminal illness, allowing people to choose to end their lives to avoid prolonging unnecessary suffering, if this is their clear and settled will. Proper safeguards would need to be put in place.”

Assisted dying has been a Green Party policy for some time, although in previous statements they hadn’t explicitly limited their policy to people who were terminally ill. 

We hope that politicians consider a Bill that extends to adults who are unbearably suffering from conditions without a cure, who are of sound mind and have a clear and settled wish to die.

Labour:

The Labour manifesto does not mention assisted dying.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has pledged a vote on assisted dying in the next parliament. He made the commitment when speaking in a phone call with broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who announced in December that she had joined the Swiss assisted dying centre Dignitas. 

Sir Keir told Esther: “I’m personally in favour of changing the law… I think we need to make time. We will make the commitment. Esther, I can give you that commitment right now.”

Liberal Democrats:

The manifesto states:

“‘Give Parliament time to fully debate and vote on legislation on assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults with strict safeguards, subject to a free vote”

Any Bill that comes before Parliament is likely to be subject to a free vote, meaning that MPs can vote in accordance with their conscience. The Liberal Democrats are reflecting this. Similarly to other manifesto pledges, we are disappointed that this is limited to the terminally ill. It means that someone suffering with multiple sclerosis would be denied the choice, while someone with terminal cancer would be allowed the dignity to end their life when they choose.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“Never before has Britain seen such a high level of political support for assisted dying. With all major parties, or their leaders, pledging to support assisted dying in some form, this is an historic moment. Change is coming.

Our assisted dying law must match the British people’s commitment to compassion. It must not be arbitrarily limited to the terminally ill. People with non-terminal conditions that can cause them to suffer unbearably, like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s’, must be given the same compassionate choice.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

The States Assembly in Jersey has just passed a historic milestone, voting in favour of giving islanders the right to choose help to die. My Death, My Decision, welcomes this progress.

Politicians in Jersey have decided by 32 votes to 14, to allow people who are terminally ill with six months or fewer left to live, assistance to die. This time limit is extended to twelve months for people with neurodegenerative conditions such as motor neurone disease.  This is broader than all past proposals in England and Wales, which have been limited to people with six months left to live, no matter the illness.

However, politicians voted against ‘Route 2’ by 19 votes to 27, which would have allowed people who are suffering unbearably from a condition that cannot be cured, but are not terminally ill, access to an assisted death. This means that people who have conditions such as multiple sclerosis or locked-in syndrome would be excluded from having a dignified death. The proposal for this route included additional protections and safeguards compared to ‘Route 1’ for people with terminal conditions.

Half of all assisted deaths of UK residents in Switzerland would likely fall under ‘Route 2’, and 3.5% of assisted deaths in Canada fall under their almost equivalent ‘Track 2’ system. The citizens’ jury carried out in Jersey in 2021 overwhelmingly (78%) called for there to be a compassionate option for people who were suffering unbearably but not terminally ill. 

The proposals, now passed, will be turned into legislation, before a final vote next year. If passed, there will be an 18-month period for doctors to be trained, guidance to be written and a support service to be set up. The first assisted death in Jersey could be in 2027.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“This is an encouraging step for Jersey in its progress to a compassionate assisted dying law. Politicians in the UK should take note. The proposals put forward are detailed, safe and compassionate. Finally, residents of Jersey will have the choice of a dignified end.

 It’s regrettable that politicians voted against ‘Route 2’, as that would have given people with conditions like multiple sclerosis a compassionate choice. It will be hard for health professionals to look at a person with multiple sclerosis and tell them they don’t even have a choice and must suffer, while someone with terminal cancer will have the option of an assisted death on their terms. Nevertheless, Jersey is moving in the right direction while England and Wales have stood still.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

A new BBC documentary by Liz Carr, provocatively titled ‘Better Off Dead?’, has highlighted the views of disabled people within the assisted dying debate. 

This article aims to promote the views of disabled people we work closely with, as well as highlight key research around this debate, which is often overlooked or misrepresented.

Our patron, Jean Eveleigh, responds to the debate:

“Liz Carr is an esteemed actress and a disability campaigner but she is not the sole voice of the disabled community. In her upcoming documentary on the subject of assisted dying she states that “the disabled community is terrified”; However I am a member of the disabled community and I very much want the legal right to be assisted to end my life when my quantity of life dramatically exceeds the quality I have. 

Assisted dying has to be made legal to allow people like me to assert their legal right in the same way non-disabled people can. As a disabled person requesting an assisted death, you are asking someone to aid you in completing a decision you have taken about your life. I have made a decision about my personal health and well-being that I am unable to act on my own and need someone to help me to complete the action. 

To this end, I find this debate and the law it produces vital to the quality of life I currently have. My right to die with assistance will not force anyone else to make the same choice, but their right to live without assisted dying is forcing me to do the same, forcing me to live in pain and distress – this is inhumane and cruel.”

John Knight, My Death, My Decision’s disability advisor, said:

“The slogan “nothing about us without us” is blatantly at odds with the views of around 80% of disabled people in the UK who approve of assisted dying. This contradictory position baffles me”.

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My Death, My Decision’s policy on assisted dying is:

We believe that any adult of sound mind who is intolerably suffering from an incurable, physical condition and has a clear and settled wish to die should have the option of an assisted death.

To be crystal clear, under the kind of law we campaign for, having a disability would not make a person eligible to have an assisted death. They would have to be intolerably suffering from their condition and have come to a clear and settled wish to receive help to die. 

It would remain illegal to encourage anyone, including disabled people, to request assisted dying.

Here is some key research that supports the views we have set out.

Disabled people do not oppose assisted dying:

A survey of 140 disability rights organisations in the UK indicated that only 4% explicitly oppose assisted dying laws. A substantial majority either remain silent (84%) or explicitly endorse neutrality (4%) on assisted dying.

The position of Disability Rights UK is:

“This is a complex issue on which people hold different, passionately held views. Disability Rights UK respects those different views.”

88% of people who identify as disabled favour changing the law on assisted dying in at least some circumstances. 

We have international evidence that assisted dying safeguards work:

One study of Oregon and the Netherlands found no evidence of heightened risk for people with disabilities and non-terminal conditions, and ‘no current factual support for so-called slippery-slope concerns’.

Another study from Belgium found no disproportionate impact on people with disabilities, nor a special increase in requests made or granted to people with disabilities.

Over ten studies have explored this question, looking at data from all jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal. None have found evidence of harm, disproportionate impact, or a slippery slope in protection.

No correlation between disability and uptake of assisted dying.

A 2015 study in the Netherlands, where assisted dying is legal for people who are suffering but not terminally ill, found no correlation between disability and uptake of assisted dying. A study looking at over twenty years of data from Oregon, came to the same conclusion. 

Giving choice, a voice and autonomy to people who are suffering.

Assisted dying legislation gives everyone additional rights. It gives people who are suffering and will never recover the right to exercise autonomy over their own life and death. Denying this right using the veil of disability rights impacts on the free choice that someone like Jean Eveleigh wishes to have available, if the time comes when her suffering is too great. 

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

‘We must of course hear the voices of assisted dying opponents, but conversely, we cannot allow hypothetical concerns to be a disproportionate distraction from the lived reality of countless people whose suffering is protracted while we await a compassionate law. Knowing that they could control the manner and timing of their own death, if and when they so choose, will in itself be of real comfort.

In the discussion of assisted dying it is crucial that we base decisions on evidence. Regrettably, there are opponents of a law who not only purport to speak for all disabled people, but also paint alarming pictures of assisted dying that are simply not borne out by the evidence from countless places that allow it.’

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.