Jersey set to move ahead with allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people

Jersey politician fights back tears as he pleads for right to choose assisted dying

jersey, assisted dying, parliament, jersey set to move ahead with allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people

Jersey is to move ahead with allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people after the island’s parliament has voted in favour of drawing up laws to establish a service.

Following the impassioned debate over the divisive issue on Wednesday, an assisted dying service could be in place for residents as early as three years’ time.

It follows a report published in March setting out how such a service might work for adults resident in Jersey, with a voluntary, settled and informed wish to end their own life.

jersey, assisted dying, parliament, jersey set to move ahead with allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people
Protesters while States of Jersey Government Ministers were entering the States Assembly building to debate the Assisted Dying Law on Wednesday (Christian Keenan /PA Wire)

Members voted for a service for terminally ill people with a life expectancy of six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease – known as route one – by a majority of 32 to 14.

But an option, known as route two, to extend a law to people with an incurable physical condition which might not be terminal but is causing them unbearable suffering – was rejected by a majority of 27 to 19.

Most members voted in favour of an opt-out for health professionals, giving them a right to refuse to participate in assisted dying.

A majority also voted for a minimum timeframe between the point at which a person makes a first formal request for an assisted death and the administration of the substance that leads to that death – proposed as 14 days.

In 2021, just over three-quarters (78 per cent) of the members of a citizens’ jury in Jersey agreed that assisted dying should be permitted, and later that year, the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide “in principle” to allow assisted dying.

jersey, assisted dying, parliament, jersey set to move ahead with allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people
Jersey politician fights back tears as he pleads for right to choose assisted dying (PA)

On Wednesday, the States Assembly heard an at times emotional debate on what is accepted to be a controversial issue. Multiple members became tearful or had voices breaking as they spoke in a lengthy debate before voting began.

Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham praised members for the “respectful, considerate and sensitive debate”.

Assembly member Constable Mike Jackson suggested a public vote by way of referendum would have been a better approach.

He said he felt the proposed legislation “should have been the subject of a referendum, given the clear split in views on the matter”, adding: “That may yet come, of course.”

Deputy Tom Coles, speaking of the right to choice both for those who support assisted dying and those who do not, had to pause to compose himself, before saying: “I know my wife would do anything for me. But if I get to my end… if I get to my end, I do not want her to do the things that I don’t want her to do for me.

“I want this to be my choice. And I think that, by denying anybody their right to choose, when they get into that situation, that is not fair.

“But I also respect that there are people who will not wish to do this service. There are people who do not want this to be their choice. And I also support that. So the fact that this entire process is completely opt-in and not opt-out is where I find my balance with all this.”

jersey, assisted dying, parliament, jersey set to move ahead with allowing assisted dying for terminally ill people
Jersey’s States Assembly has voted in favour of drawing up laws to establish an assisted dying service (Alamy/PA)

Fellow States Assembly member, Reverend Michael Keirle, known as the Dean of Jersey, warned of the risks of people coming under pressure to end their lives, especially under what is known as route two for those with an incurable physical condition which might not be terminal but is causing them unbearable suffering.

He told the Assembly: “It would be fantastically naive to think that people won’t come under some kind of indirect societal pressure, especially under route two.

“As a priest I’ve seen grooming at every level. In 35 years of ministry I’ve seen humanity at its absolute best in death and, sadly, at its absolute worst. As the old saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a family.”

Deputy Elaine Millar acknowledged that, due to the divided nature of opinion on the controversial issue of assisted dying, “very large numbers of people would be disappointed by the outcome” no matter which way the vote went.

It is expected the process for drafting a law could take around 18 months, with a debate then taking place by the end of 2025.

If a law is approved, it is expected a further 18-month implementation period will then begin, meaning the earliest for it to come into effect would be summer 2027.

Jennifer Bridge, leader of Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group, described it as a “historic day for Jersey”.

She said: “I hope States Members will continue to give their support to this reform because the vast majority of us agree that an assisted dying law would be safer and kinder than the status quo.”

Sarah Wootton, from pro-change organisation Dignity in Dying, described the vote as a “victory for compassion and common sense” while Trevor Moore, chair of My Death, My Decision, said it as “an encouraging step”.

He said it was “regrettable” that route two had been voted down but that Jersey was nonetheless “moving in the right direction while England and Wales have stood still”.

OTHER NEWS

24 minutes ago

Texas man who spent 20 years on death row is exonerated

24 minutes ago

Gareth Southgate decides to drop England star for final Euro 2024 group game

25 minutes ago

Contents of south Dublin convent go under the hammer for €100,000

25 minutes ago

Titans remain unsettled on right side of offensive line

25 minutes ago

How a Cyberattack Took 15,000 Car Dealers Offline

25 minutes ago

Iran and Bahrain agree to start ties resumption talks

25 minutes ago

Bills Tight End 'A Feared Mismatch' Headed Into Year 2

25 minutes ago

Major street closures for NASCAR Chicago street race go into effect this week

25 minutes ago

Suspect sought after 1 injured in Naperville shooting, police say

25 minutes ago

Bitcoin tumbles back to $60,000 to start the week

25 minutes ago

Princess Anne hospitalized with minor injuries and a concussion after ‘incident' on her estate

25 minutes ago

Experts say Gaza is at 'high risk' of famine despite increased aid to the north

25 minutes ago

David Beckham visits Sven-Goran Eriksson’s home in Sweden with ‘six litres of wine’

25 minutes ago

Holly Willoughby ‘obsessed’ security guard bought restraint kit to abduct, rape and murder her, court told

25 minutes ago

House of the Dragon finally solves the mystery of Daeron Targaryen’s absence

29 minutes ago

CNN’s Kasie Hunt Ends Interview With Trump Spokeswoman After She Rails Against Debate Moderators Jake Tapper And Dana Bash

31 minutes ago

Video: A shocking lack of dignity: Inside A&E unit in the grips of NHS' 'year-round' care crisis - as footage shows elderly patient forced to urinate in the corridor, while others cry out in agony in four-hour ambulance queues

31 minutes ago

Video: Range Rover-driving couple in mask and keffiyeh is arrested at gunpoint before cops make startling discovery in their backseat as pro-Palestine mob runs wild through LA's Jewish suburb

32 minutes ago

Lando Norris rues costly bad start as Max Verstappen wins Spanish Grand Prix

33 minutes ago

Princess Anne sustains minor injuries and concussion in an 'incident,' Buckingham Palace says

33 minutes ago

Star Wars' Force Storm: Palpatine's Deadliest Sith Power, Explained

33 minutes ago

Car dealerships in North America revert to pens and paper after cyberattacks on software provider

33 minutes ago

Sources: NBA exec. Troy Weaver joining Wizards' front office

33 minutes ago

Not ruled out – Mum Judy furious at ‘leak’ on Andy Murray’s Wimbledon withdrawal

33 minutes ago

The best Myprotein deals to shop this week

33 minutes ago

This simple air fryer cake recipe will start you on a new baking journey

33 minutes ago

Justin Timberlake was arrested after anonymous tip-off from within hotel

33 minutes ago

Czech forward Schick to miss Turkey game - report

33 minutes ago

Extra security as Ronaldo's Portugal face Georgia

33 minutes ago

Consumer financial disputes’ claim limit to be raised to $150,000 in July

33 minutes ago

Illinois bill would make flying US flag upside down a felony

33 minutes ago

An art mystery is solved, and a historic portrait goes on display

33 minutes ago

Nigel Farage denies explosive Russia link and makes lawyer claim 'I am so angry'

33 minutes ago

With Bryson DeChambeau boost, Nashville sets attendance record for LIV Golf event in United States

36 minutes ago

These are the most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

37 minutes ago

Princess Anne hospitalized with minor injuries, a concussion after ‘incident' on her estate

38 minutes ago

Classic GameCube RPGs Shadow-Dropped on Steam

38 minutes ago

Jerry Jones' and Mike McCarthy's Cowboys relationship might be on the rocks

38 minutes ago

Best Landing Spots in Fortnite Reload

38 minutes ago

Where to watch Euros 2024 in Dubai