UK MPs Approve Assisted Dying Bill for Terminally Ill Under Strict Conditions

Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK have approved a bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill patients in England and Wales, under strict regulations.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed its second reading today, with 330 votes in favour and 275 against, following nearly five hours of debate.

Britons have for years booked tickets to countries where assisted dying laws are more permissive (Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had previously proposed a similar bill in 2015, chose to remain neutral during the vote. MPs were given a free vote, meaning they could vote based on their personal beliefs rather than party lines. The result revealed a divided Parliament, with high-profile figures from major parties supporting and opposing the bill.

Among those favouring were Starmer, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and Reform UK politician Lee Anderson.

However, several members of the Cabinet, including Labour’s Angela Rayner and David Lammy and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, voted against the bill. Other notable opponents included Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Labour’s Diane Abbott.

Whether the vote would be overwhelming or a knife’s edge was uncertain even on the day of the debate (Picture: Parliament Live)

Next Steps for the Assisted Dying Bill

Although the bill has passed its second reading, it still faces several hurdles before becoming law. A parliamentary committee will review the bill before moving to a “report stage” in April 2024, where MPs can propose amendments. After passing a third round of voting in the House of Commons, the bill will be sent to the House of Lords for further consideration. If the Lords approve the bill and receive royal assent from King Charles, it will become law.

Pro-change campaigners say people should have the ‘right to die’ on their terms (Picture: Reuters)

Currently, assisted dying is legal in certain countries, including Switzerland, and some estimates suggest that one Briton travels abroad for assisted dying every eight days. Dignitas, a Swiss organisation, has reported assisting 540 Britons with dying. In contrast, the last time MPs debated assisted dying, in 2015, they overwhelmingly rejected the proposal with a 330-118 vote.

What the Assisted Dying Bill Entails

The Assisted Dying Bill would grant individuals aged 18 or older who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live the right to choose to end their life. The bill lays out several safeguards to ensure that the decision is made freely and with complete understanding:

• The individual must be registered with a GP for at least 12 months.
• The person must express a clear, settled, and informed desire to end their life.
• Approval from two doctors and a judge is required.
• There is a mandatory waiting period of 14 days (or 48 hours in urgent cases) before the patient can make a second declaration of their intention to end their life.

Additionally, it would be a criminal offense to coerce someone into making such a decision, and the penalties could be up to 14 years in prison.

The Process of Assisted Dying

Under the proposed law, if a patient is approved for assisted dying, they would be prescribed a lethal substance to be self-administered. This process differs from voluntary euthanasia, which involves a medical professional administering the drugs. The bill does not specify the type of lethal drug to be used but ensures that patients can take it on their own without assistance.

Faith leaders have spoken out against the changes amid concerns over coercion (Picture: Reuters)

In Scotland, the Scottish Parliament is currently considering a similar law.

Current Law on Assisted Dying in the UK

Under current UK law, assisting someone in ending their life is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Over the past 15 years, 187 cases of assisted suicide have been referred to the courts, but only four individuals were prosecuted. The proposed bill would significantly change the current legal framework surrounding end-of-life choices.

Bill’s Introduction and Support

The Assisted Dying Bill was introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who was selected through a lottery to present a Private Members’ Bill. Leadbeater, whose sister Jo Cox was tragically murdered in 2016, expressed pride in the result of the vote, saying her late sister would have supported the decision.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater drafted the proposal (Picture: Ben Whitley/PA Wire)

Following the vote, Leadbeater said, “I’m incredibly proud—today we’ve seen Parliament at its best.” Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, echoed this sentiment, calling the vote “a historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying people.”

Keir Starmer let his party freely vote on the bill (Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Public Opinion and Future Debate

While the bill’s passage represents a significant shift in public policy, polls indicate that public opinion on assisted dying remains divided. Support is often contingent on ensuring strict safeguards are in place to prevent coercion and abuse. As the bill moves through Parliament, further debate and scrutiny are expected, and it is likely to remain a contentious issue in the coming months.

The vote today marks a significant milestone in the debate over assisted dying, but the outcome is far from final. The bill’s journey through Parliament will continue to draw attention as it moves closer to becoming law.