A pioneering Citizens’ Jury has strongly recommended the legalisation of assisted dying in England, with 20 out of 28 members supporting a change in the law. The jury, which included a cross-section of the English population, spent eight weeks engaging in deliberations on the topic, hearing from a wide range of experts.
The jury concluded that individuals with terminal illnesses who have the capacity to make their own decisions should be allowed both the option of an assisted death. They back the self-administration of life-ending medication and the administration by a healthcare professional. This has long been the policy of My Death, My Decision, but legislation in the UK to date has only proposed self-administration.
Of the 28 Jury members who were able to participate in the final vote, 20 either strongly agreed or tended to agree the law should change to permit assisted dying in England. This compares to 7 who said they either strongly disagreed or tended to disagree with a law change. One person was undecided.
The most important reasons given by members of the Jury in favour of permitting assisted dying that gained the greatest number of votes were:
- To stop pain.
- Having the option to end your own life.
- Knowledge that you can die with dignity if the time comes.
Members were asked: “If the law is changed to permit assisted dying in England, what should it include? What should it exclude?”. Nine voted that “Intolerable suffering (physical) should be considered within the eligibility criteria.” with no one voting to exclude it.
The Jury’s recommendation aligns with the public’s longstanding support for assisted dying, as reflected in numerous surveys over the years.
In addition to supporting legalisation, the jury also called for the decriminalisation of assisting someone to travel abroad for assisted dying and urged for increased funding for NHS palliative care.
Citizens juries have come to similar conclusions in Jersey and France.
Graham Winyard, Director of My Death, My Decision, said:
“The overwhelming consensus from decades of surveys is that most people in the UK support legalising assisted dying. Critics often argue that the public doesn’t fully grasp the complexities, but this Citizens’ Jury has thoroughly examined the issue and reached the same conclusion. The message is unmistakable—there is strong public support for changing the law.
It’s time for politicians to take action. The public clearly wants legislation that offers choice, compassion, and dignity. We hope one of the MPs successful in the Private Members Bill ballot chooses to put forward a compassionate assisted dying bill. Those facing incurable suffering deserve the right to choose a peaceful and dignified death. It’s time to legalise assisted dying.”
Notes:
Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request
To request an embargoed copy of the report contact the NCOB press office on press@nuffieldbioethics.org
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.
