What is the background to the Assisted Dying Bill?
Kim Leadbeater MP recently introduced a Private Member’s Bill on assisted dying in the UK Parliament. This proposed legislation marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over end-of-life choices. If passed, it could make assisted dying available to terminally ill, mentally competent adults with six months or fewer to live. The Bill aims to provide a compassionate alternative for individuals enduring unbearable suffering while incorporating strict safeguards to prevent misuse.
The Bill comes at a time when public support for assisted dying is strong, with polls showing significant majorities in favour[2], with many citing the challenges faced by terminally ill individuals forced to seek alternatives like traveling to Switzerland. Opponents, however, caution against potential risks, such as coercion or a slippery slope that might extend criteria inappropriately. While the Bill specifically excludes non-terminal conditions and individuals without mental capacity, campaign groups like My Death My Decision advocate for broader inclusion.
What are the key features of the Bill?
Eligibility and Safeguards:
- Only terminally ill adults expected to live six months or less would qualify.
- Two independent doctors must verify eligibility, ensuring the person’s decision is informed, voluntary, and free of coercion.
- Judicial oversight by the High Court would confirm compliance with the law.
Protections:
- The process includes a mandatory waiting period and repeated confirmation of the patient’s decision, which can be withdrawn at any time.
- Medications must be self-administered, and any attempt to coerce or manipulate a patient would constitute a criminal offense.
Monitoring and Review:
- A comprehensive system would track and regulate all assisted dying cases, with a mandated government review within five to six years of implementation to evaluate the law’s impact.
What are the next steps for the Assisted Dying Bill?
The Bill will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 29 November 2024. This will be the first time in nearly a decade that MPs vote on such legislation. If it passes, further debates and detailed scrutiny will follow, potentially paving the way for a significant shift in UK law.
This Bill aligns with similar legislative efforts in Scotland and Jersey, as well as existing laws in places such as New Zealand and parts of Australia. Proponents believe it could improve end-of-life care overall by fostering open conversations about suffering and choice. Opponents of the Bill argue that it could undermine trust in the healthcare system by creating a slippery slope where the sanctity of life is diminished, potentially exposing vulnerable individuals to coercion or unintended harm.
Will the Assisted Dying Bill pass?
The result of the vote on the Bill is uncertain. While public support for a change in the law appears strong – research from J.L. Partnersthe public is very much behind changing the law, with 65 percent of those polled in support, compared to 13 percent opposed; 64 percent also back prioritising improving palliative over end-of-life legislation – there is no guarantee that MPs will vote in favour. The debate is scheduled for a Friday sitting, meaning time constraints could prevent a vote from happening unless a closure motion is moved.
Many MPs have yet to express their position on the Bill, and the issue remains deeply divisive. At the time of writing, within Labour, 83 MPs have expressed support for the Bill, while 50 plan to vote against it, and 86 are undecided[4]. The rest have not yet declared a position. The Liberal Democrats and Greens are generally supportive, and their party manifestoes at the General Election backed assisted dying legislation. Conservative MPs remain divided, with very few declaring a position on the Bill. Historically, Conservative MPs have predominantly opposed such legislation. In 2015, just 28 Conservatives voted in favour of a similar bill, while 270 opposed it. This complex split across party lines makes the final vote outcome difficult to predict, and MPs have been given a free vote on the legislation.
The outcome will depend heavily on the level of parliamentary support and whether MPs can reach consensus during the limited debate time. If it proceeds, the Bill will undergo detailed committee discussions before facing further votes in both Houses of Parliament.
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[1] https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10123/
[2] https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/news/every-parliamentary-constituency-in-great-britain-backs-assisted-dying-law-new-polling-confirms/
[3] https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/two-thirds-of-country-back-assisted-dying-9zfmj067v
[4] https://labourlist.org/2024/11/assisted-dying-bill-labour-mps-kim-leadbeater/
