Some House of Keys members believe it is time to discuss the issue of legalising assisted dying in Tynwald again.

This comes after news of Guernsey possibly becoming the first place in the British Isles to have euthanasia legalised, if it is voted for in May.

The Examiner asked Strand Street shoppers for their thoughts on whether it should be legally practised in the island.

Keith Davey, 61, from Douglas, thinks people who are ’not well enough and not strong enough to survive and have medical records that say [they] will suffer’ should have the right to euthanasia.

’I can’t see there being an issue if you don’t want to prolong your life because of your suffering, not just yourself, but others. I don’t think anyone should suffer, but you’ve got to be careful,’ he said. ’Mentally they have to be in the right place for that.’

In 2011, Mr Davey was left in a 20-day coma after he came off his bike at Devil’s Elbow in German. He broke his neck and spine in four places, as well as sustaining other serious injuries.

’I’ve been physically active all my life and something like that makes your question your future. Where my mental state was at then, I was in the right frame of mind.

’I’ve been on pain control since and where I can continue, I’ll continue. I’m a very lucky boy,’ he added.

Peel resident Annette Barnette, aged 45, said: ’I should be able to make that choice between stopping or carrying on in pain. I don’t see why a doctor or someone else should tell me what I should do.’

Her work colleague, Nancy Sherrington, 48, from Douglas, agreed: ’If it’s not going to get better and you’ve tried all the options, you should have that choice.’

Both believe that the practice should follow a ’process’ and be carried out by a professional.

’Family and friends shouldn’t carry it out. It’s not something that needs to be on their conscience,’ added Nancy.

Jake Nathan, 23, from Peel, said: ’Don’t put a blanket law on everyone.

’I don’t think you can tell people what they can and cannot do, especially when someone in so much pain. The pain might be something that we have not felt ourselves.’

He thinks terminally ill people should have the option of assisted dying, as long as they have ’loving people’ around them and are ’of sound mind’.

Colby resident, Sandra Thompson, 67, said: ’It depends on circumstances. It’s very hard and I’m not 100% certain about what’s best. It needs a lot more decision and I think society has got to a place where it should be discussed.

’It might be better to legalise it if it stops them from having to go abroad to have it carried out.’

Matthew Robertson, 28, from Ramsey: ’There should be circumstances where it should be allowed, but controlled.

’If someone isn’t enjoying their quality of life then they should have the right to choose. This is something that Tynwald should be discussing.’

His brother Sam Robertson, aged 21, said: ’I agree. The person needs to 100% certain and in the right frame of mind.’

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