June 19th 2025.
Supporters of assisted dying have been actively campaigning in London, advocating for the passing of a bill that would legalize this controversial practice. The MP responsible for this bill, Kim Leadbeater, is confident that it will successfully pass through the House of Commons during tomorrow's historic vote.
Leadbeater introduced the Terminally Ill Adults Bill last year, and it has already passed its first stage in Parliament, known as the Second Reading, back in November. This was a significant moment as it marked the first time the UK Parliament had voted in favor of assisted dying. Despite a somber and emotional debate, the bill achieved a majority of 55 in favor.
Since then, the bill has been going through various stages in Parliament, with amendments being made to refine how the measures would work in real life. Tomorrow, MPs will be voting for the second time, considering all the added amendments, and deciding whether to pass the bill on to the House of Lords.
Leadbeater stated in a press conference this morning that if the bill is rejected, it may take up to a decade for this issue to be revisited in Parliament. She remains optimistic about the bill's chances, despite some MPs changing their minds and opposing it now.
Leadbeater explained that she named her proposal the Terminally Ill Adults Bill to ensure it only applies to individuals who can no longer receive treatment. The bill would only apply to those over 18 years old in England and Wales who have an untreatable, progressive illness and a life expectancy of six months or less. The person must also have the mental capacity to make a decision and a clear, informed wish to end their life, without any external pressure. They must also provide two separate declarations, signed and unsigned, expressing their desire to die.
To qualify for assisted dying, two doctors must assess the person's eligibility, and a panel consisting of a senior legal figure, a psychiatrist, and a social worker would review the application. The process would also include two periods of reflection, one lasting seven days and the other lasting 14 days. If the person successfully completes the process, they would administer the fatal substance themselves.
Lord Charlie Falconer, a former Justice Secretary, noted that Leadbeater's proposed legislation has undergone intense scrutiny in the Commons and is one of the most safeguarded bills in the world regarding assisted dying.
When asked about potential future attempts to broaden the scope of the bill, Leadbeater stated that it would be up to future Parliaments to make any changes.
The bill has faced opposition, with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown arguing that the focus should be on improving palliative care rather than legalizing assisted dying in a recent article. However, a YouGov poll revealed that almost three-quarters of Brits support the measures currently included in the bill.
Similar efforts to legalize assisted dying are also taking place in other parts of the world, including Scotland and France. In March, the Isle of Man became the first part of the British Isles to approve the legalization of assisted dying, with the law expected to come into effect by 2027 after receiving Royal Assent.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
