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Legislative bills

MPs Back Key Change to Assisted Dying Bill, Opposition Fears Rushed Legislation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

After a five-hour debate, MPs backed Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's amendment to allow health workers to opt out of assisting in terminally ill adults' deaths, a crucial change to the landmark Termination of Illness Adults End of Life Bill. This is the first Commons debate on the Bill since November's historic "yes" vote. Leadbeater argued that allowing medics to opt-out strengthens the legislation and ensures terminally ill people can act with dignity, rather than feeling forced to travel to Switzerland. However, opponents have expressed concerns that the Bill lacks sufficient safeguards and has been pushed through too quickly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill proposes to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months left to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure, and psychiatrist.
  • Campaigners in favour of assisted dying argue that the current ban is intolerable, and people should have a choice to end their terminal illness earlier, while opponents worry about lack of safeguards and the possibility of coercion or a slippery slope.
  • MPs first voted on the Bill in November, giving their initial backing by a majority of 330 to 275 in favour.
  • MPs have been scrutinising the Bill line-by-line and proposed several amendments, including one passed by Kim Leadbeater to allow medics to opt out of assisting in terminally ill adults' deaths.
  • A crucial vote on the overall proposals is expected in the Commons on June 13, which will determine whether the Bill fails or progresses to the House of Lords.
  • If the Bill becomes law, it will take a maximum of four years to implement changes, meaning assisted dying might not be offered in England and Wales until 2029.

Statistics:

  • 330: The number of MPs who voted in favour of the terminally ill adults' end of life Bill in November.
  • 275: The number of MPs who voted against the Bill in November.
  • 5 hours: The length of the Commons debate on the amendments to the Bill on Friday.
  • 13 June: The date when MPs are expected to vote again on amendments to the legislation.
  • 2029: The estimated year when assisted dying might become available in England and Wales if the Bill passes.

Sources:

  • The Telegraph ("Assisted dying: MPs back Labour's 'hugely important' bid to legalise assisted dying")
  • The Daily Mirror ("MPs back crucial change to landmark Assisted Dying Bill")
  • Parliament UK (Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill)

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