A proposed law that would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to end their lives was unveiled on Tuesday. The bill includes strict safeguards, such as requiring approval from both doctors and a judge, in an effort to address concerns about potential misuse. Lawmakers are set to vote on the legislation on November 29, nearly 10 years after parliament rejected a previous attempt to legalize assisted dying.
The proposal, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, has divided opinions, even within her own party. Leadbeater emphasized that the bill contains robust protections for vulnerable individuals, ensuring that only mentally competent, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live would be eligible for assisted dying. Under the proposed law, two doctors must confirm the person’s condition and decision, with a judge then reviewing one of the doctor’s assessments before a 14-day reflection period.
“This is just for terminally ill adults. It’s not for anyone else. It’s about shortening death, not ending life,” Leadbeater explained during an interview with BBC Radio.
The bill also makes it a criminal offense to pressure someone into choosing assisted dying, with those found guilty facing up to 14 years in prison. Currently, assisting suicide is punishable by up to 14 years in jail, but Leadbeater argues that current laws no longer reflect the shift in public opinion on the issue in the past decade.
Supporters of assisted dying point to countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as some US states, which have already legalized the practice under certain conditions. Switzerland and the Netherlands have had legal assisted dying for decades.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that MPs will be allowed to vote based on their personal views, rather than party lines. While Starmer has supported changing the law in the past, Health Minister Wes Streeting has expressed opposition.
If the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Members Bill passes its first vote, it will proceed through the formal legislative process, undergoing further scrutiny before being subject to approval by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. A similar bill was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs in 2015.