Three of the four major parties have mentioned assisted dying in their manifesto. Two party leaders have pledged to support a vote on assisted dying in the past.

This article is limited to England & Wales. This is not an endorsement of any political party but a factual analysis of information in the public domain.

Here’s a breakdown of what each party said:

Conservative Party:

The manifesto states:

“We will maintain the position that assisted dying is a matter of conscience and will respect the will of Parliament. Debates on assisted dying should never distract from the importance of delivering high-quality palliative care services and we will continue to support children’s and adults’ hospices.”

This is less of a clear pledge compared to what Rishi Sunak, leader of the party, pledged back in February this year, when he said he would support allowing enough parliamentary time for a meaningful debate and vote on assisted dying. Mr Sunak also pledged to introduce assisted dying laws if parliament wanted to change the law, saying the government would “facilitate” it in a “legally effective” way.

Sunak made the comments to campaigner Matt Ryan, 44, who told him that reforms could have eased the suffering his family faced when both his father, David Minns, and his sister, Katie, died from cancer.

Green Party:

The manifesto states: 

“Elected Greens will back changing the law on assisted dying. We support a humane and dignified approach to terminal illness, allowing people to choose to end their lives to avoid prolonging unnecessary suffering, if this is their clear and settled will. Proper safeguards would need to be put in place.”

Assisted dying has been a Green Party policy for some time, although in previous statements they hadn’t explicitly limited their policy to people who were terminally ill. 

We hope that politicians consider a Bill that extends to adults who are unbearably suffering from conditions without a cure, who are of sound mind and have a clear and settled wish to die.

Labour:

The Labour manifesto does not mention assisted dying.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has pledged a vote on assisted dying in the next parliament. He made the commitment when speaking in a phone call with broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who announced in December that she had joined the Swiss assisted dying centre Dignitas. 

Sir Keir told Esther: “I’m personally in favour of changing the law… I think we need to make time. We will make the commitment. Esther, I can give you that commitment right now.”

Liberal Democrats:

The manifesto states:

“‘Give Parliament time to fully debate and vote on legislation on assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults with strict safeguards, subject to a free vote”

Any Bill that comes before Parliament is likely to be subject to a free vote, meaning that MPs can vote in accordance with their conscience. The Liberal Democrats are reflecting this. Similarly to other manifesto pledges, we are disappointed that this is limited to the terminally ill. It means that someone suffering with multiple sclerosis would be denied the choice, while someone with terminal cancer would be allowed the dignity to end their life when they choose.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“Never before has Britain seen such a high level of political support for assisted dying. With all major parties, or their leaders, pledging to support assisted dying in some form, this is an historic moment. Change is coming.

Our assisted dying law must match the British people’s commitment to compassion. It must not be arbitrarily limited to the terminally ill. People with non-terminal conditions that can cause them to suffer unbearably, like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s’, must be given the same compassionate choice.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.