An MHK has suggested that introducing legislation to allow people the right to choose their death may struggle to get off the ground.

Following the PAG meeting on allowing people the ’right to die’, the Manx Independent spoke to one of the MHKs who attended the meeting, Garff MHK Martyn Perkins.

While most in attendance indicated support for exploring the issue, Mr Perkins suggested that it may be difficult to receive enough support within the House of Keys to do so.

Like the Abortion Reform Bill led by Dr Allinson, ’right to die’ legislation would almost certainly require a private member’s bill from a backbench MHK.

A private member’s bill may be introduced by a member into the House of Keys or Legislative Council, without the endorsement of the Council of Ministers, but the member must first obtain leave of the Keys or LegCo to do so, this is done by popular vote.

However, Mr Perkins seemed to indicate he doubts that would be successful.

Mr Perkins said: ’It was great to see the PAG meeting so well attended. Clearly the issue of assisted dying needs raising in the public domain.

’If we are to take it forward it will need to be done on a private member’s bill basis and should be put out to public consultation.

’The question is, "will leave be given" by the other members to take it forward?

’In my opinion with proper safeguards in place, and carried out at a suitable establishment, the public deserve the choice to access modern end of life care.’

Mr Perkins was not clear as to whether he was referring to a lack of support within the Keys or whether he fears a CoMin block vote could derail an attempt.

The CoMin "block vote" was recently used to stop Daphne Caine’s attempt to establish a committee to explore the island accepting a small number of Syrian refugees.