South West MPs to debate assisted dying bill - everything you need to know
MPs from our part of the world, and the nation, will debate and are expected to vote on proposed legislation for the first time in almost a decade
Last updated 29th Nov 2024
MPs from the West Country - and the nation - are set to debate an assisted dying bill today and are likely to vote on proposed legislation for the first time in almost a decade.
Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater has put forward the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, saying it is about giving choice to dying people and is “robust”, with potentially the “strictest protections” against coercion anywhere in the world, requiring sign-off by two doctors and a High Court judge.
Some MPs and campaigners have raised concerns that the Bill has been rushed and will not get the scrutiny it requires – an argument rejected by Ms Leadbeater who insisted it is likely to be subject to more scrutiny because of the level of public debate on the divisive issue.
Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today:
What is assisted dying?
This, and the language used, varies depending on who you ask.
Pro-change campaigners Dignity in Dying argue that, along with good care, dying people who are terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death.
But the campaign group Care Not Killing uses the terms “assisted suicide” and “euthanasia”, and argues that the focus should be on “promoting more and better palliative care” rather than any law change.
They say legalising assisted dying could “place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others” and argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk.
What is the current law?
Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences.
What is happening at Westminster today?
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater formally introduced her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to Parliament in October.
If the Bill passes the first stage in the Commons today, it will go to committee stage where MPs can table amendments, before facing further scrutiny and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Ms Leadbeater’s Bill would apply only to England and Wales, a seperate member's bill has been introduced in Scotland, but not voted on yet. Nothing has yet been passed in Northern Ireland.
Who would be eligible for assisted dying?
Only terminally adults who are expected to die within six months and who have been resident in England and Wales and registered with a GP for at least 12 months.
They must have the mental capacity to make a choice about the end of their life and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish – free from coercion or pressure – to end their life.
How would the process work?
The terminally ill person must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die.
The process must involve two independent doctors being satisfied the person is eligible and the medics can consult a specialist in the person’s condition and get an assessment from an expert in mental capacity if deemed necessary.
A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors regarding the application and can also question the dying person as well as anyone else they consider appropriate.
How long would it take?
There must be at least seven days between the two doctors making their assessments and a further 14 days after the judge has made a ruling, for the person to have a period of reflection on their decision.
For someone whose death is expected imminently, the 14-day period could be reduced to 48 hours.
What safeguards are there?
It would be illegal for someone to pressure, coerce or use dishonesty to get someone to make a declaration that they wish to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer an approved substance.
If someone is found guilty of either of these actions, they could face a jail sentence of up to 14 years.
What are the views of the public on assisted dying?
This varies. Research by the Policy Institute and the Complex Life and Death Decisions group at King’s College London (KCL) in September suggested almost two-thirds of just over 2,000 adults surveyed in England and Wales want assisted dying to be legalised for terminally ill adults in the next five years.
James Haslam works in intensive care in Wiltshire, and is part of the 'Care not Killing' group who are against the bill.
He told us: "It's important to take a step back, and look at what the most compassionate thing is.
"Do we carry on caring for patients, or offer them an assisted death - which is essentially saying to them that their life is not worth living any more.
"We believe the offer of a free early death versus costly ongoing care is a way to make patients feel like they are a burden."
What are the views of our local MPs?
Torbay's Lib Dem MP, Steve Darling, said: "To all Torbay residents, I want to thank everyone who has shared their thoughts on the Assisted Dying Bill. Your personal stories and concerns have been invaluable in shaping my understanding of this complex issue.
"This Friday’s vote is about allowing further debate, not a final decision. I intend to vote in favour of it progressing so we can fully examine the Bill. While I haven’t yet decided how I’ll vote in the end, I believe it’s crucial that we continue to discuss this issue thoroughly.
"I understand the strong feelings surrounding this topic, and I’m listening to all perspectives. Thank you again for sharing your views with me. I will continue to keep an open mind as the debate unfolds."
'It's hard not to be moved by people's stories'
Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: “I’ve been communicating with residents for weeks, knocking on doors to ask for opinions, running an online survey, and responding to emails. I’ve carefully considered all the responses I received, alongside listening to evidence from experts and those with lived experience.
I have read countless stories from residents who have watched their loved ones live in unbearable suffering for longer than they would have chosen. It’s hard not to be moved by such stories, and to see assisted dying as a compassionate alternative.
I decided to vote for the Bill, on the grounds that this is an important debate the public wants us to have. This was not an easy decision to make, and I understand why others reached different conclusions. Friday's vote is not the end of the debate. Allowing the Bill to progress means we can continue to scrutinise the Bill and ensure the right safeguards are in place."
St Ives' Lib Dem MP, Andrew George said: "I have, in principle, been supportive of legislation which would permit terminally ill people 9who are competent to do so) to have the power to themselves decide when and how they die.
"I'll finally make my decision once I have completed my study, consultation and review.
"Opponents contend such a law would place unacceptable pressure on vulnerable patients, or patients during a period of vulnerability. I'm not convinced this would be the case, but will follow the debate and keep an open mind."
'Wrestling with my conscience'
Salisbury MP John Glen said: "After wrestling with my conscience, attending numerous meetings in Parliament, and listening closely to the wildly different but equally passionately held views of many constituents, I have made my decision.
"I have also consulted front-line medics who would undoubtedly be asked to play a significant role in administering the process of assisted dying.
"Providing dignity for those who are dying is a concern for everyone, but I feel deeply troubled about how the process would work and what would happen in future if this decision was made now."
Read more: Salisbury MP says he's 'wrestled with conscience' ahead of assisted dying vote
Amesbury MP Danny Kruger has told his fellow members that if they think the bill can be improved they're wrong.
Posting on his X account, he said: "To MPs imagining we can 'improve' the Assisted Dying Bill after 2nd Reading: we can't.
"A pro-Bill majority on the committee will reject any amendments, and then ministers will decide outstanding details via negative procedure.
"The only power we'll ever have is this Friday."
He added that anyone who thinks the Bill is flawed, must vote against it.
'We should be working to make sure every member of our society can die well'
The Right Reverend Michael Beasley, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, said: "Instead of introducing a law which enables doctors to prescribe life-ending medication to the terminally ill, I believe we should be working to make sure that every member of our society can die well.
"We should be asking ‘what does excellent palliative care look like and how can we make it available to everyone?’
"Currently this work is chronically underfunded and under researched, largely dependent upon the generous and heroic action of those who run charity shops, such as St Margaret’s Hospice here in Somerset. This is a truly sorry state of affairs and one that we should all be talking about.
"A dignified and compassionate response to the end of life will require the proper funding of palliative care. I believe this is the right solution for everyone in our society – both the powerful and the vulnerable alike."