MHKs approve Assisted Dying Bill

It will now ascend to the Legislative Council

After months of debate, Members of the House of Keys have voted to approve the Assisted Dying Bill.

Sixteen voted in favour while eight were against.

Douglas North member David Ashford says he hadn't decided which way to vote until he re-read the legislation in the early hours of this morning:

However Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover says he had a duty to represent the views of his constituents:

Since introduced as a Private Member's Bill by Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson, it's been a divisive topic.

More than 3,300 people responded to a public consultation on the subject, earlier this year, with a wide range of views shared.

Demonstrators for and against the bill made their opinions heard again outside the House of Keys this morning.

It had been hoped the bill would be put to the public vote in the form of a referendum - a move suggested by the Ayre and Michael MHK Alf Cannan - but that was rejected by his colleagues.

What happens now?

Just because the bill has successfully made it through the House of Keys, it doesn't mean it will now definitely become a law.

It now ascends to the Legislative Council, where its members will scrutinise the legislation further.

If it successfully makes it through there, it'll then go to Tynwald to be signed off before being recommended for Royal Assent.

However, as politicians are now on their summer recess, there won't be any more scrutiny until Tynwald returns in October.