Alderney keen on discussion on assisted dying
ALDERNEY could lead the way with ‘progressive thinking’ over assisted dying legislation, the island’s States members have said.
In a debate without resolution at the December meeting, most politicians declared themselves in favour of bringing in legislation that would permit the practice under certain circumstances.
Doug Wilson was the catalyst for the debate, setting up an online petition in favour of assisted dying after watching his father’s painful decline.
Policy & Finance Committee chairman James Dent proposed the discussion, saying Alderney could lead the way for the legislation’s introduction in the UK.
Parallel moves are taking place in Guernsey, he said.
‘This is simply to encourage public discussion. We are not going to rush measures through. There may be matters in the UK that we have to sort out first.
‘But if Alderney and Guernsey get the message out that they support some form of assisted dying, the message may not just be heard in these islands but much further away.'
Full story in today's Guernsey Press
