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In the British Parliament, start of a highly sensitive vote on assisted dying
British MPs began debating on Friday a bill authorizing assistance in dying for certain terminally ill patients, before a vote with an uncertain outcome on this major social issue. Beyond political sensitivities, each elected official is called upon to decide during the day, according to her convictions, on this proposal from Labor MP Kim Leadbeater which raises ethical questions. Before the House of Commons, she declared that her text, which concerns England and the Country of Wales, was to give “choice, autonomy and dignity” to terminally ill adults with six months or less to live. She stressed that it was governed by “very strict criteria”. Patients must be able to express an informed choice and take the substance causing their death themselves. Two doctors and a judge will have to give their agreement. In 2015, a proposed law on assisted suicide suffered a bitter failure in the British Parliament. But public opinion has shifted and, according to a recent YouGov poll, three-quarters of people in England and Wales now support the law change. “Our job is to address the issues that matter to people (. ..) and many would say that this debate is long overdue,” said Kim Leadbeater. – “Desperate actions” – Currently, assisted suicide is illegal and carries a penalty of 14 years in prison if assisted or ‘incentive.The current law “is not clear and does not protect patients, families and health personnel, which pushes people to desperate actions”, underlined the Labor MP. She told the story of Norman, a man suffering from prostate cancer for 15 years: “when the disease spread and the pain was no longer bearable (…), he was went into his garden and shot himself in the head”. In the United Kingdom, the prospect of the vote has raised a debate on ethical, financial and religious grounds, going beyond the usual political divisions between Labor and Conservatives. Around thirty spiritual leaders shared their “deep concern”, worrying that fragile people feel a “duty to die” to relieve their loved ones.” How can we guarantee that an elderly person in a retirement home, who has been given six months to live , will not say to themselves: ‘I am a burden (…) if I end my life now, my family will be able to save 25,000 to 55,000 pounds+?’, asked Richard Burgon, an independent MP. Rather than assistance in dying, many opponents have called for better funding for palliative care. – “Guarantees and protections” – Kim Leadbeater assured Friday that this text of law contained “the strongest guarantees and protections in the world”, and had “nothing to do” with those of Canada or Belgium, countries where the criteria are much broader. Health Minister Wes Streeting highlighted the additional burden that such aid would place on the public health system (NHS) in crisis, and said he would vote against the proposal.Even if this text comes from its ranks, the ruling Labor Party has not given any instructions, and the government had asked its ministers to remain discreet about their vote. If it passes this first stage, the text will be examined and amended in committee, before being submitted again for approval by both houses of the British Parliament. It is difficult to predict the outcome of this vote, as the positions of many Labor MPs, elected in Labour’s massive victory in July, are not yet known. Current Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not spoken, but he had spoken out in favor of the 2015 bill when he was an MP. Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron announced for his part that he would vote in favor of the text, after initially opposing it. time. Conversely, Boris Johnson, one of his successors, is against it. Scotland, which has delegated powers in matters of health, must vote on its own bill in 2025. The Isle of Man is also examining a text , while Jersey, another Channel Island, has validated the preparation of a law by 2027.cla/alm/lrb
