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Legislative bills

Assisted Dying Bill Faces Crucial Vote in UK Parliament

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill will face a major vote in the UK Parliament on Friday, with supporters hoping it will progress to the House of Lords and opponents fearing it will be defeated. The Bill, which proposes to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death, has undergone significant changes since its introduction last year, with over 90 hours of parliamentary time spent on it.

Supporters of the Bill, including Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter Rebecca Wilcox, argue that it is a "really safe, clever piece of law" that will bring an end to the cruel status quo where people are dying in agony without knowing what they can do. Wilcox, who is campaigning for her terminally ill mother, Dame Esther, to have the right to assisted dying, says that England and Wales must "catch up with the rest of the world" in changing the law.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill will face a major vote in the UK Parliament on Friday, with supporters hoping it will progress to the House of Lords.
  • The Bill proposes to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure, and psychiatrist.
  • Rebecca Wilcox, Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter, is campaigning for the Bill, which she describes as a "really safe, clever piece of law" that will bring an end to the cruel status quo where people are dying in agony.
  • The Bill has undergone significant changes since its introduction last year, with over 90 hours of parliamentary time spent on it.
  • Opponents of the Bill, including Labour MP Rupa Huq, have raised concerns that it could be "quite attractive" in a cost-of-living crisis, and claim that the process has been rushed.
  • Dame Esther Rantzen has been campaigning for a change in the law, and is nearing her 85th birthday this weekend.

Statistics:

  • 55 majority vote in November's historic yes vote on the principle of assisted dying for England and Wales.
  • Over 90 hours of parliamentary time spent on the Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill since its introduction last year.
  • 85 years old: Dame Esther Rantzen's age as she nears her 85th birthday this weekend.

Sources:

  • PA Social Affairs Correspondent Aine Fox
  • PA Political Correspondent Nina Lloyd
  • PA Social Affairs Correspondent Sion Morgan

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