UK lawmakers back bill to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives

Members of Parliament supported legalising assisted dying when they first debated the issue in November by 330 votes to 275

UK lawmakers on Friday backed a bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives in a historic vote in Parliament that takes it a step nearer to becoming law.

Members of Parliament voted 314-291 to back the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill following an impassioned and respectful debate.

The bill now goes to the unelected House of Lords, which can amend or delay policy, though it can't overrule the lower chamber.

The bill would allow terminally ill adults over age 18 in England and Wales, who are deemed to have less than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death.

 

The terminally ill person would have to be capable of taking the fatal drugs themselves.

 

What lawmakers are voting on  The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow terminally ill adults aged over 18 in England and Wales, who are deemed to have less than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death.

The terminally ill person would have to be capable of taking the fatal drugs themselves.

Proponents of the bill say wealthy individuals can travel to Switzerland, which allows foreigners to legally end their lives, while others have to face possible prosecution for helping their loves ones die. 

 

How the vote may go  The outcome of the vote is unclear, as some lawmakers who backed the bill in the fall only did so on the proviso there would be changes made. Some who backed the bill then have voiced disappointment at the changes, while others have indicated Parliament has not been given enough time to debate the issues.

The vote is a free one, meaning lawmakers vote according to their conscience rather than on party lines. Alliances have formed across the political divide.

If 28 members switched directly from backing the bill to opposing it, while others voted exactly the same way, the legislation would fail. 

 

Timeline if the bill passes  Friday's vote is not the end of the matter. The legislation would then go to the unelected House of Lords, which has the power to delay and amend policy, though it can't overrule the lower chamber.

Since assisted dying was not in the governing Labour Party's election manifesto last year, the House of Lords has more room to maneuver. Any amendments would then go back to the House of Commons.

If the bill is passed, backers say implementation will take four years, rather than the initially suggested two. That means it could become law in 2029, around the time the next general election must be held. 

 

Changes to the bill  Plenty of revisions have been made to the measure, but not enough for some.

Perhaps the most important change was to drop the requirement that a judge sign off on any decision. Many in the legal profession had objected.

Now any request would be subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.

Changes also were made to ensure the establishment of independent advocates to support people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health conditions and the creation of a disability advisory board. 

 

No involvement of health care practitioners  It was already the case that doctors would not be required to take part, but lawmakers have since voted to insert a new clause into the bill extending the provision to anyone.

The wording means no person, including social care workers and pharmacists, is obliged to take part in assisted dying and can therefore opt out.

The government's stance  There is clear no consensus in the cabinet about the measure.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated he will back the bill on Friday. His health secretary, Wes Streeting, is opposed but said he will respect the outcome.

There are also questions about how it would impact the UK's state-funded National Health Service, hospice care and the legal system. 

 

Nations where assisted dying is legal  Other countries that have legalized assisted suicide include Australia, Belgium, Canada and parts of the United States, with regulations on who is eligible varying by jurisdiction.

Assisted suicide is different from euthanasia, allowed in the Netherlands and Canada, which involves health care practitioners administering a lethal injection at the patient's request in specific circumstances.