The United Kingdom has moved closer to legalising assisted dying after lawmakers voted in favour of a contentious bill that would allow terminally ill adults to seek medical assistance to end their lives.
Following intense discussions on Friday, the House of Commons approved the Assisted Dying Bill with 330 votes in favour and 275 against. The legislation, which still requires further consideration in both the Commons and the Lords, would apply to adults in England and Wales diagnosed with a terminal illness and expected to live less than six months.
Under the proposed law, adults over 18 who meet these criteria could opt for medically assisted death, provided the decision is approved by two independent doctors and a judge. Advocates of the bill argue it empowers individuals with more control over their end-of-life choices.
“This is not about choosing between life and death—it’s about giving dying people the ability to decide how they die,” said Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP and the bill’s lead proponent, during her opening statement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the bill in the vote but chose not to publicly voice his opinion beforehand. However, the issue sparked division within his party, with several Labour members opposing the proposal.
Concerns Over Vulnerable Groups
Conservative MP Danny Kruger led the opposition, cautioning that legalising assisted dying could compromise Parliament’s responsibility to protect society’s most vulnerable members.
“We in Parliament are meant to safeguard those at risk of harm, yet this bill risks abandoning that vital role,” Kruger stated during the debate.
Outside Parliament, the “Not Dead Yet” campaign staged protests, warning that legalising assisted dying could pressure vulnerable individuals into choosing death prematurely.
Widespread Public Backing
Public opinion in the UK leans strongly in favour of assisted dying. A recent Gallup poll revealed that most Britons support such legislation. Laws permitting assisted death already exist in several U.S. states, including Oregon and Washington, as well as in countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands.
The UK’s proposed legislation, however, is more limited in scope, applying only to terminally ill patients. This contrasts with broader measures in Switzerland and Canada, where assisted dying is available to those enduring severe suffering regardless of prognosis.
If the bill becomes law, implementation is expected to take up to two years to ensure adequate safeguards and procedures. “It’s crucial we prioritise getting this right rather than rushing it,” Leadbeater told the BBC.
Broader Implications
While England and Wales may move forward with this legislation, Scotland is considering its own assisted dying bill. Northern Ireland, however, has no plans to introduce similar measures.
The vote represents a significant milestone in the UK’s long-running debate on assisted dying, with further discussions and potential amendments anticipated as the bill progresses through Parliament.
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