Isle of Man poll reveals two in three support assisted dying, as Tynwald prepares for historic vote

Polling conducted in September by Island Global Research on behalf of Dignity in Dying, the British Isles’ leading campaign for a change in the law on assisted dying, canvassed the views of 1,206 residents from across the Isle of Man.

Two in three (66%) respondents supported the introduction of assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with more than half (53%) indicating strong support.

The report’s findings highlight the scale of public support for change as the House of Keys prepares for its second reading of the Assisted Dying Bill, launched by Dr Alex Allinson MHK following a landslide vote (22 – 2) to allow its introduction last year.

If Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) vote the Bill through on 31st October, the Isle of Man will be on the path to become the first part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying as an option for its terminally ill, mentally competent citizens, subject to strict safeguards.

Isle of Man resident Simon Biggerstaff suffered a painful death from an aggressive form of motor neurone disease (MND) in May 2022. Within two months of diagnosis, Simon was paralysed from the neck down and suffered greatly as he died. His wife Sue is now among those campaigning for a change in the law to give terminally ill islanders the choice he was denied.

Sue Biggerstaff said: “Simon was diagnosed in July 2021. The first thing he said was that he didn’t want a slow, painful death. Sadly his worst fear came true.

“The last few months of Simon’s life were agony. His diagnosis turned our lives upside down. His skin was rotting away while he was still alive, he used a ventilator to breathe and he lost his ability to walk, talk or eat unaided. The experience was so distressing for him and traumatising for me as his wife to watch.

“I cared for Simon at home with the help of a nursing team. He made me leave the room while he spoke to the nurses about how long it would take to die if he refused food. They said it could take a month. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that and he died within a day of arriving at the hospice. The thought of my husband starving to death appalled me.

“Simon was so organised and planned his funeral before he died. I wish he’d been able to have that same control over his death with the choice of assisted dying. I am certain he would have spared himself those final two weeks if he could. People should be able to shorten their death if it becomes unbearable. This new polling shows I’m clearly not alone in my views.

“When MHKs come to vote on the Assisted Dying Bill I hope they will remember Simon’s story. He deserved a say in how he died, to give him back some of the control his disease stole from him.”

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

“Once again, the Manx public has signalled their overwhelming support for a safeguarded and compassionate assisted dying law. Tynwald is now poised for a truly historic vote, where MHKs have the opportunity to deliver the change that so many residents are calling for.

“Jurisdictions around the world have proven this choice can be provided safely and compassionately. Meanwhile, evidence continues to mount that denying people this option prolongs suffering and forces them to resort to the unimaginable. It is clear that the most dangerous decision of all would be for Tynwald to do nothing. Assisted dying is a reform whose time has come for the Isle of Man.”

Dr Alex Allinson MHK for Ramsey said:

“In these divided times, it’s rare for an issue to unite so many people, across age groups, walks of life, faiths and political views. MHKs have long appreciated the strength of public support for this issue, and indeed many of us feel the same, having seen first-hand the harms caused by the current blanket ban on Assisted Dying.

“All the evidence we have heard so far has only strengthened our resolve to get this right. We remain committed to creating the right law for our community, that will improve the rights of dying people while maintaining the strictest safeguards and supporting healthcare professionals.”

*ENDS*

For further information or interviews with people with personal stories, representatives of Dignity in Dying or MHKs, please contact Molly Pike, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, on 07929 731181 or Molly.Pike@dignityindying.org.uk