Assisted suicide bill faces backlash

The Assisted Dying bill and absence of safeguards continues to be fiercely criticised by MPs, medics and lawyers. Even if MPs vote in mid-May in favour of the proposals, the deadline for implementation could be up to four years away.

In the face of waning support among parliamentarians, particularly the opposition parties, the bill’s sponsor Kim Leadbeater has insisted it will be “the strongest” such legislation in the world.

On the final day of the committee stage, Leadbeater said: “I am pleased that the Committee has improved the Bill in many ways, and added extra safeguards to what was already the strongest assisted dying legislation in the world.” However, a group of six Labour MPs, including two select committee chairs, has written to all Labour MPs saying the promise that the bill would be strengthened at committee stage has not been kept. They urge them to oppose the bill, called it “dangerous” and “not fit to become law”.

Leadbeater also continues to appear confused over the wording and meaning of elements of her bill; and has been accused of being evasive, and misleading MPs and the public.

Healthcare

Leadbeater has also redefined the meaning of healthcare to incorporate assisted suicide into the NHS. At committee stage, she made clear she wants assisted dying provision to be assimilated into a person’s healthcare “in a very holistic way” through the NHS or through private providers and private provision.

She conceded, after denying it in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Sarah Montague, that people could profit from assisted suicide.

Leadbeater also suggested that hospices could be protected by the “very clear section of the bill which talks about conscientious objection.” However, this would only apply to individuals: hospices and care homes will not be able opt out from permitting assisted suicide on their premises. A proposed amendment allowing them to opt out was rejected.

In a letter to The Times, palliative care consultant Jamilla Hussain and several other medics warned of the “serious ethical and practical concerns for institutions founded on the principle of care”.

Leadbeater has also been criticised by her co-sponsor for citing public polling purporting to overwhelmingly favour assisted dying. He said the polling was “ambivalent” and it was important to be “honest”.

If 28 MPs or more withdraw their original support for the bill when the next vote takes place, it will fail.

On 25 March thousands of Christians prayed, in person and online, against proposed assisted dying laws across the UK in a national day of prayer organised by the Christian Institute, Affinity, CARE, the Christian Medical Fellowship and the Evangelical Alliance.

The CI’s director Ciarán Kelly thanked everyone who prayed, but added: “There is still a long way to go. More amendments will be considered at the Report Stage on 25 April. The Third Reading vote could be as early as 16 May.

“We need to keep praying – and contacting our MPs – until this Bill has finally been killed off.”

Isle of Man

On 25 March, the Isle of Man became the first place in the British Isles to legalise assisted dying. The Manx parliament passed the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 under which adults with a year or less to live, and have lived on the IoM for at least five years, can choose assisted suicide.

Royal Assent could be given this year.

Churches Alive in Mann issued a statement in response, expressing their “sadness and deep concern”. It said: “ The very existence of this legislation will inevitably cause some of our elderly, disabled or vulnerable people to feel more of a burden.” Church leaders are also concerned about the lack of safeguards against coercion.

The statement added: “The premature ending of individual lives will inevitably diminish the high value we place on all lives.”