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'Other politicians will step forward to continue work' says mover of Assisted Dying Bill

Picture credit: Manx Radio

Island legislation still awaiting Royal Assent 16 months on

The mover of the Island's Assisted Dying Bill says he remains 'confident' that the legislation will receive Royal Assent.

It's now been 16 months since Tynwald voted to pass the bill and sent it to the UK's Ministry of Justice to be rubber stamped.

This week the cause was dealt a blow there with MPs voting against a fresh move to legalise the practice in England and Wales.

The bill there would have allowed adults with fewer than six months to live to apply to be given help to end their own life subject to certain safeguards.

In a vote in the House of Commons the final tally was 270 votes in favour and 286 against.

The rejection has been called 'hugely disappointing' by the Bill's sponsor Lauren Edwards.

The Labour MP had re-introduced proposals after an identical bill was supported last year before it stalled and ran out of time in the House of Lords.

ISLE OF MAN

So, what about the Manx bill?

It's still awaiting Royal Assent in the same government offices.

But the man who moved the bill, Alex Allinson, believes other politicians here will 'step forward to continue the work' after the upcoming General Election:

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