Express survey signals very strong support for assisted dying

Thursday 10 May 2018

Islanders have very strongly signalled their support for allowing doctors to help terminally ill patients ‘die with dignity’ in their response to an Express poll.

Guernsey could approve ground-breaking assisted dying legislation that would be the first of its kind in the UK in just a few days time - but should Jersey follow suit?

The response to a survey run by Express last week suggested that the answer was overwhelmingly ‘yes'.

More than 1,000 islanders chose to take part in the poll, with 90.6% (954 islanders) stating that they would support assisted dying proposals in Jersey.

Just 9.4% - 99 respondents – said that they were against the idea.

Pictured: Results from Express's assisted dying poll.

The issue has never before been raised in the States Chamber, nor have the island’s previous Health Ministers sought to legislate on it. Senator Andrew Green – the outgoing Minister – did not express an opinion on the topic during his term, while his predecessor Anne Pryke said that she opposed it. 

Palliative care charity Jersey Hospice have also said that they disapproved of the move, arguing that the focus should be on “the right to die well”, rather than the right to die. 

But the strength of feeling in Guernsey, which has seen religious leaders, campaigners, academics, members of foreign governmentsand even comedian Ricky Gervais speak out on the issue, may put it on the incoming government’s agenda. 

Pictured: Guernsey's Assisted Dying plans, which the island's top politician confirmed did not include moves towards 'suicide clinics' or seek to encourage 'suicide tourism', hit national headlines when first announced.

Guernsey will make a decision on assisted dying on 16 May – the same day that Jersey residents go to the polls for the General Election.