An Assisted Dying Bill has been introduced in the House of Lords. Lord Falconer of Thoroton was chosen second in the ballot to introduce the “Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill [HL] “, which will have it’s first reading on Friday 26 July. My Death, My Decision welcomes the bill for initiating a much-needed debate. However, we are disappointed that it is limited to terminally ill patients and does not extend to those with incurable conditions like multiple sclerosis or locked-in syndrome.
Since it was drawn second, the Bill is likely to be debated over the coming year. If it receives sufficient support, it could become law. Keir Starmer recently doubled down on his vow to give the bill enough parliamentary time to pass.
Lord Falconer made a previous attempt to change the law in 2014 but it failed due to the impending General Election in 2015, despite passing the Second Reading in the House of Lords.
Currently, assisting someone to end their life is a criminal offence in England and Wales, carrying a maximum prison sentence of up to fourteen years. However, if the Assisted Dying Bill becomes law, people suffering from terminal illnesses could be helped to die provided they reached a voluntary decision. Previous attempts to change the law included the need for an independent judge.
However, this Bill has already limited itself just to terminally adults. This means politicians won’t even have the opportunity to debate whether people who are not terminally ill should have access to an assisted dying. This means people with conditions like mutlple sclerosis and locked-in syndrome will be banned from accessing the law.
Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision said:
“We welcome that changing the law on assisted dying will soon come before Parliament, particularly in light of the Prime Minister’s assurance that the government will ensure proper time for a debate and vote on the issue.
Nevertheless, in being restricted to the terminally ill, the Bill risks discriminating against those suffering unbearably from incurable conditions, like Huntington’s and Locked-in Syndrome, so we will continue to campaign on their behalf.This could be the beginning of the end of a successful campaign to give people compassion and autonomy.”
Notes
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.
