Key facts
- MPs will vote on Friday on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
- The bill was reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards after failing in the House of Lords.
- Last time, the bill passed the House of Commons by a majority of 22 votes at its third reading.
- Labour MP Ashley Dalton opposes the bill, citing risks to vulnerable people.
- Campaigner Christie Arntsen supports the bill, advocating for dignity in death.
- No royal medical colleges or associations back the bill; some are neutral, others opposed.
MPs are preparing to vote once again on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, a piece of legislation that could represent a significant social change in the UK. The bill, which aims to legalize assisted dying, was reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards and is scheduled for a vote on Friday.
The previous version of the bill, initially proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, failed to become law earlier this spring after running out of time in the House of Lords, where it faced over 1,000 proposed amendments. Edwards expressed a sense of responsibility to those whose hopes were dashed by the House of Lords' actions.
While MPs previously supported the bill, its passage is not guaranteed. The margin of victory in the House of Commons was narrow in the last vote, with only 22 votes separating supporters and opponents at the third reading, down from 55 at the second reading. A shift of just 12 votes could lead to its failure.
Factors influencing the upcoming vote include the government's official neutrality and a change in stance from key figures. Unlike the previous iteration, where Sir Keir Starmer was known to be supportive, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he will abstain, citing concerns about the need for improved palliative care before assisted dying services can be introduced. Conversely, some MPs who previously voted against the bill are reportedly reconsidering their position due to frustration with the House of Lords blocking legislation passed by the democratically elected House of Commons.
The debate encompasses differing views on choice and safety. Labour MP Ashley Dalton, who has terminal breast cancer, argues against the bill, emphasizing the potential risks to vulnerable individuals over personal desires. In contrast, campaigner Christie Arntsen, also with terminal breast cancer, strongly supports the bill, seeking a dignified and compassionate end to life. Medical bodies have largely not backed the bill, with some remaining neutral and others opposing it due to concerns about mental capacity assessments and the resourcing of assisted dying services. Edwards has indicated a willingness to work with medical professionals to address these concerns.