A Historic Vote: The Shift Toward Legalizing Assisted Dying in England and Wales
MPs in England and Wales have taken a pivotal step towards legalizing assisted dying through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. In a significant debate, the bill was approved with a vote of 314 to 291, marking a majority of 23. This was the third reading, the final chance for MPs to make a decision on this controversial law, and in a notable move, they were allowed a free vote, meaning they could choose according to their personal beliefs rather than party lines.
The support for the bill saw a noticeable decline from earlier enthusiasm; following initial proposals, the majority in favor had dropped from 55 in a previous vote. It has been nearly a decade since the House of Commons last voted on assisted dying, which was rejected in 2015. Next steps involve the bill moving to the House of Lords for further examination.
This legislation, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, seeks to permit terminally ill adults aged over 18 in England or Wales to end their own lives under strict conditions, including:
Being registered with a GP for at least 12 months
Having the mental capacity to make an informed decision
Being expected to die within six months
Making two signed declarations witnessed by others regarding their wish to die
Passing assessments by two independent doctors, spaced a week apart
Significant adjustments were made during discussions, notably the shift from requiring a High Court judge to a three-person panel that includes a legal expert, a psychiatrist, and a social worker to oversee requests for assisted dying. Furthermore, there are separate considerations underway in Scotland, where a bill has initially passed at Holyrood but awaits more debate before becoming law.
Globally, while most nations still deem assisted dying illegal, over 300 million people now reside in countries where such laws are in effect, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Austria since 2015. Recently, the Isle of Man became the first part of the British Isles to approve assisted dying, reflecting a profound shift in attitudes surrounding end-of-life choices and rights.