British MPs Vote in Favour of Assisted Dying Bill
Photo Courtesy: UK Parliament via Wikimedia Commons
On the 29th November, in perhaps the most significant change to British social policy since the legalisation of same-sex marriage, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed in its second reading by the House of Commons. Whilst this is only one step in a lengthy legislative process, the vote marks a turning point in the state’s relationship to both death and the dying.
If passed into law, the legislation would allow for mentally competent, terminally ill adults (18 and over) with six or less months to live to legally end their lives under medical supervision. The proposals include stringent safeguards, such as judicial oversight and prison sentences for coercion, and were brought to the House by Kim Leadbeater (MP) in the form of a Private Members’ Bill, whereby the government had no explicit involvement and allowed MPs a free vote.
The bill passed comfortably, backed by a total of 330 MPs and opposed by 275, with Labour and Lib Dem MPs constituting the bulk of the votes in favour. The 55-vote margin is larger than might have been expected, though some MPs who voted for the bill on this occasion have made it clear they are not without doubts and may withdraw their support in subsequent readings.
In addition to a handful of serving cabinet ministers, the bill was backed by several senior politicians, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and current Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. However, it did not pass unopposed or without controversy. A vocal, cross-party group of MPs, including the ‘Mother of the House’ Diane Abbott, spoke out against Leadbeater’s proposal, citing concerns over the impact on vulnerable groups, the pressure it could place on patients, and the potential for a ‘slippery slope’.
Passing despite such opposition, the legislation will now be sent to committee for scrutiny before being returned to the House of Commons for a third reading. If it passes in the Commons at this stage, the bill will then be sent to the House of Lords, where it will be subject to further debate before finally passing into law with Royal Assent.
Still, even if the bill is successfully formalised into law, it may take years for the Department of Health and Social Care to implement, meaning we may not see the law take practice for some time. Nonetheless, Parliament’s decision to pass the legislation at this stage is undoubtedly momentous and carries profound ramifications for British society.