A new bill aiming to legalize assisted dying in Britain is set to be introduced in Parliament on Wednesday. This marks the first time in nearly a decade that the House of Commons will debate allowing doctors to help end people’s lives after previous court challenges to change a legal blanket ban failed.
The bill, to be introduced by Labour politician Kim Leadbeater, will grant terminally ill people in England and Wales a way to allow physicians to help them die. Details of the bill will be released later this month ahead of a Parliamentary vote.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised that lawmakers will have a “free vote,” meaning they will not be obliged to vote along party lines. Starmer supported a 2015 assisted dying bill and has expressed support for changing the law.
The bill is expected to be similar to one introduced in the House of Lords earlier this year, which restricts assisted dying to adults with six or fewer months to live and requires permission from the High Court after having a declaration signed by two doctors, among other criteria.
Advocates for assisted dying, such as Esther Rantzen, have called for the right to choose and highlighted the need for legislation with necessary protections and safeguards in place. However, opponents argue that changing the law could endanger vulnerable people.
Assisted suicide is legal in several countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and parts of the U.S., with varying regulations on qualifying criteria.
Experts emphasize the importance of studying the impact of assisted dying in other jurisdictions before making decisions. They also stress the need to address healthcare inequities as a priority.
As the debate on assisted dying unfolds in Britain, the public's input and further discussions on the topic are expected to shape the future of end-of-life care in the country.
