Members of Parliament are scheduled to vote on the Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, marking a renewed attempt to legislate on assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill, reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, aims to permit terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death.
This legislation previously passed two votes in the House of Commons during the last parliamentary session but ultimately stalled in the House of Lords. Opponents were accused of 'filibustering,' leading to the bill falling before the session concluded in April. Supporters, including Ms. Edwards, have suggested the possibility of utilizing the Parliament Acts to bypass the Lords' objections this time.
Ms. Edwards, who took over sponsorship of the bill from Kim Leadbeater, has urged her colleagues to send the legislation back to the Lords for further scrutiny. She stated, "We can and we must improve both palliative care and support assisted dying. We must grasp that opportunity in front of us to create a holistic end of life care system that will deliver choice and dignity for every single one of our constituents."
However, critics have raised concerns, labeling the bill as 'flawed' and 'unsafe' if it proceeds without amendments. Karen Bradley, a Conservative former minister, advised fellow MPs that they do not need to feel bound by previous votes if they now believe the bill, in its current form, is not sufficiently safe. "That is today's test and there is no shame whatsoever in concluding that the answer to a different question is different," Bradley stated.
The bill includes a four-year implementation period, meaning assisted dying would not be available until 2031 at the earliest if passed. Ms. Edwards emphasized the need for resolution within the current parliamentary term.
Around 70 MPs had indicated their intention to speak on the bill ahead of an expected vote by 2:30 p.m. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he will abstain from voting to avoid influencing the debate, having previously argued for prioritizing improvements in palliative and social care.
The previous iteration of the assisted dying bill passed its Third Reading in the Commons in June of the prior year by a margin of 23 votes. However, two supporting MPs, former Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former MP Josh Simons, have since left Parliament. Some MPs who previously supported the bill have indicated they will not back using the Parliament Acts to force its passage.
Gareth Snell and Meg Hillier, in a letter to MPs, described using the Parliament Acts as an "extraordinary risk" and suggested that bringing back an identical bill without amendments could lead to a constitutional confrontation, arguing the issue requires more thoughtful consideration.
Recent polling suggests public sentiment aligns with prioritizing palliative and social care. An 82% majority agreed that Parliament should first ensure no one feels compelled towards an assisted death due to inadequate end-of-life care. Additionally, 74% believe current pressures on healthcare funding could influence individuals to opt for assisted dying sooner than they might otherwise, out of concern for receiving necessary support. Nearly two-thirds also agreed that NHS funds should not be diverted to finance assisted dying services.