a historic vote in favor of “assisted dying”

Correspondent in London

The battle rages on but the supporters of a new law on “assisted dying” have won a valuable round. At the end of intense debates in the House of Commons this Friday, deputies voted in favor of a new text by 330 votes to 275. This vote is, however, only a first step, which paves the way for long months of new discussions in Parliament.

Described as historic, this vote on the end of life came after five hours of passionate debate during which MPs shared their personal experiences while opponents of the bill called for an improvement in end-of-life care. life. Activists both in favor and opposed to the project gathered in front of Westminster. The “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)” law – valid for England and Wales – will then move back and forth between the Commons and the Lords, the upper house. Kim Leadbeater, the Labor MP who introduced the bill, estimates the process could take another six months.

For Kim Leadbeater, the law must give “choice, autonomy and dignity” adults who are terminally ill and have six months or less to live. She emphasized that she was supervised 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 agree. Currently, assisted suicide is illegal and carries a penalty of 14 years in prison if aiding or abetting. In 2015, a proposed law on assisted suicide suffered a bitter failure. The promoters of the new text rely on polls which show that opinion has evolved. According to a study YouGovthree-quarters of those surveyed support a change in the law.

“Duty to die”

The deputies were invited to vote according to their conscience, beyond political sensitivities, on a text which raises ethical problems. The subject went beyond the usual political divisions between Labor and Conservatives. Within the two major parties and the government, the division is great. Labor Health Minister Wes Streeting voted against the proposal. As did former Labor Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not speak, but he spoke in favor of the 2015 bill. On the Conservative side, former Prime Minister David Cameron voted in favor of the text, after having opposed it to begin with. Conversely, some of his successors, such as Boris Johnson or Theresa May, opposed the text. The new Tory boss, Kemi Badenoch, also voted against.

Opponents of the text are particularly concerned about pressure placed on elderly and vulnerable people, tempted to end their lives so as to no longer be a “burden” for their loved ones and society. Around thirty spiritual leaders shared their “deep concern” worrying that fragile people feel a “duty to die” to relieve their families. Outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby opposed the text. To these opposing voices, Kim Leadbeater responded that this law offered “the strongest guarantees and protections in the world”. And that he didn't “nothing to see” with the laws in force in Canada or Belgium, which have much broader criteria. Rather than assistance in dying, the many opponents of the law are calling for better funding for palliative care.