MP Kim Leadbeater has urged her fellow politicians to keep the families of terminally ill people in mind when considering whether or not to support her proposed legislation to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be debated and voted on in parliament on Friday, with the MP acknowledging that the outcome is likely to be “very close”. Three former Conservative prime ministers – Liz Truss, Boris Johnson and Theresa May – have voiced their opposition to the legislation, with six MPs including Labour’s Anna Dixon also backing an amendment that could prevent the Bill being considered. Leadbeater has criticised this amendment for a lack of detail and public consultation and has emphasised that, should the legislation move forward, it would be subject to ongoing detailed scrutiny over the next six months.
Leadbeater’s Bill would legalise assisted dying for terminally-ill adults with a projected life expectancy of six months or less. Supporters of the legislation have argued that it protects against coercion and gives people the freedom to choose how they die. Proponents have also suggested that it offers a solution to situations where palliative care specialists cannot alleviate a person’s end of life suffering. The Bill is considered a free vote by the government, which could make the eventual result unpredictable. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has not said how he will vote, while several of his Cabinet members including the health secretary, Wes Streeting, have spoken out against the legislation.
In criticising the proposed amendment, Leadbeater pointed to the ongoing debates surrounding the families of people who are suffering from mounting and unbearable pain, whose only options are to take their own lives or travel to another country where assisted dying is legal, if they can afford it. Leadbeater cited palliative care specialists who had told her that it is difficult to meet all the needs of people in such situations, leaving them to suffer over an extended period of time, which can be traumatic for their loved ones. Baroness May, along with Johnson and Truss, has also spoken out against the proposed legislation, suggesting that vulnerable people are at risk of experiencing pressure to end their lives and that the legal system should prioritize protecting lives.
Leadbeater emphasised that discussions about the proposed legislation have been focused on process and that Members of Parliament should concentrate on the individuals and families who are affected by the issue. This Bill is seen by some as an attempt to change societal attitudes to death, with previous parliamentary debates and committee reports having contributed to this shift. While the outcome of the vote is uncertain, it is an important step that the UK has been discussing the issue and working to find a solution that best supports the families of terminally ill patients who are suffering
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