Jersey legalises assisted dying in landslide vote, as momentum builds across the UK and Crown Dependencies

Jersey’s States Assembly has today (Thursday 26 February) voted to legalise assisted dying by a huge margin – in a historic decision that follows Tuesday’s decisive vote in the Senedd to support the implementation of Westminster’s own Bill in Wales, and last year’s parliamentary approval of assisted dying in the Isle of Man. Next month Scotland is expected to complete the final stage of its own Bill.

States Members gave final approval to Jersey’s Assisted Dying Bill this afternoon with 32 voting in favour and 16 against, meaning the law will now move forward for Royal Assent. It will apply only to terminally ill, mentally competent adults who have resided in Jersey for at least 12 months and will sit alongside access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care. 

Together, these votes mark growing legislative momentum across the UK and Crown Dependencies towards allowing dying people greater choice at the end of life, acting upon a clear majority of public support for law change across these jurisdictions.

In Westminster, despite overwhelming public backing and clear approval from the House of Commons, progress has faced deliberate obstruction by a minority of unelected Peers in the House of Lords. In nine days of Committee stage debate thus far, just 350 of an unprecedented 1,200 amendments have been debated; more than half proposed by just 1% of Peers, all with longstanding opposition to assisted dying. 

This is increasingly accepted by parliamentary experts, as well as by Peers and MPs on all sides of the debate, as a deliberate attempt to ‘talk out’ the Bill so that it runs out of time to pass before the end of the current parliamentary session in May. As debate continues this Friday 27 March, an official Government petition launched by terminally ill campaigner Sophie Blake has secured more than 50,000 signatures, calling on the Government to ensure the democratic will of the elected House is upheld.

Meanwhile, in January Jersey’s States Assembly gave near-unanimous approval for a new end-of-life care law, introduced as a direct precursor to assisted dying which places a statutory duty on the Health Minister to provide end-of-life care for the final 12 months of a person’s life. This also includes £3 million a year in extra funding for end-of-life care. 

The decision today marks the culmination of years of extensive consultation, three decisive votes by States Members to back the principle of assisted dying, and a Citizens’ Jury which expressed overwhelming public support for law change. An assisted dying service could be in place by Summer 2027, following detailed clinical and regulatory preparation. 

Jersey resident Lorna Pirozzolo, who has terminal breast cancer and experiences extreme pain as a result of her condition, welcomed the reform, saying:

“Like so many terminally ill people I’ve spoken with, I’m not scared of dying, but I am terrified of suffering as I go. That’s why this law is so badly needed.

“No one should have to endure unbearable pain at the end of their life, or feel they have to leave their home or their loved ones behind in order to have control. Today brings enormous relief – not just for me, but for future generations of Islanders who deserve compassion, choice and dignity at the end of life.

“It’s been a long road, but today every step feels worthwhile.”

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

“Compassion has won out in Jersey, in a week that demonstrates undeniable momentum for change right across the UK and Crown Dependencies. Today’s historic result will bring profound relief to so many. It is a testament to the families who have tirelessly pushed for change, and to the States Assembly, who listened. 

On Tuesday, the Senedd also chose to listen to Welsh citizens’ calls for fairness and choice. This Friday, the House of Lords will return to its scrutiny of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, with public and parliamentary pressure mounting on the handful of unelected opponents deliberately obstructing its passage. Almost a year ago, the Isle of Man’s parliament made history in passing its own Bill. 

“This progress is proof of the humble tenacity of dying people, families and the wider public, who simply will not give up until their Parliament acts. The time for choice and compassion on our shores has well and truly arrived.”

Public support for reform in Jersey has been clear and sustained. A 2024 poll conducted by Island Global Research found six in 10 (61%) Jersey adults support legalising assisted dying, including half (51%) who are strongly in favour. 

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For more information and enquiries please contact Tom Steen, Media and Campaigns Officer at tom.steen@dignityindying.org.uk / 07356135578