In a historic vote, MPs have today voted in support of the assisted dying bill, which means it will be put forward for further parliamentary scrutiny with the backing of the elected chamber.
MPs voted 330 to 275 in support after five hours of debate where MPs shared personal stories and discussed whether it would be better to improve NHS palliative care. Amongst those voting yes was Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch voted against.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood voted against the bill, having previously warned about vulnerable people being coerced.
All MPs had been given a free vote, meaning they did not have to vote with their party and could instead vote with their conscience.
The Bill will now be considered in depth at the committee stage, where every line of the proposed legislation will receive in-depth scrutiny by MPs.
Kim Leadbeater’s Private Members’ Bill sets out to allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life; and for connected purposes.
The proposal defines a terminally ill person as someone who “has an inevitably progressive illness, disease or medical condition which cannot be reversed by treatment” and the person’s death in consequence of that illness, disease or medical condition can reasonably be expected within six months.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill highlights that a person is not to be considered to be terminally ill by reason only of the person having one or both of a mental disorder, within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983 or a disability, within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010.
Yet disabled campaigners were concerned that despite talk of the robustness of checks and balances in the assisted dying bill to prevent disabled people from being coerced, there might not be enough protection for them in the Bill.
In a statement, Disability Rights UK said; “This was evident during the pandemic, where we were often denied life-saving care, and where 60 per cent of all deaths from Covid were those of Disabled people, who comprise 24 per cent of the population. We have huge empathy for Disabled people who live with pain and wish to make an informed choice to have control over the end of their lives.”
Two independent doctors, with a seven-day gap between evaluations, would have to be satisfied someone is eligible and has made their decision voluntarily. However, it is not clear whether the person can start the process again with different doctors if the request is initially turned down.
Requests would also have to be approved by a High Court judge and it would be a further 14 days after a judge’s ruling before a person could be assisted to die, except when the person’s death is expected imminently. The individual would be allowed to change their mind at any time, and it stipulates that no doctor would be under any obligation to participate in the process.
Lethal medication offered would be self-administered. In addition, anyone found coercing someone to end their life — or make a false declaration as part of the process — could receive a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Supporters of the Bill believe this is a historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying people.
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “Many will be feeling overwhelming relief and gratitude that, today, our country has moved closer than ever before to a safer and more compassionate law. Kim Leadbeater MP has been an incredible advocate for choice at the end of life. She has led this debate with respect, compassion and integrity, and will continue to put a huge amount of time and care into this Bill.
“Significant though this moment is, this is just the start of the journey for the Bill. In the months ahead, it will undergo detailed, clause by clause scrutiny by MPs, with further debate and votes on amendments in both Houses. Kim has asked for as much time as possible to be given for this process, and will take expert evidence, to ensure the Bill is as robust as it can possibly be.”
In-depth polling has shown that three-quarters of the British public believe that the law should change, with majority support in every constituency in Great Britain.
