New UK bill aims to legalize assisted dying for people who are terminally ill
A new bill aiming to legalize assisted dying in Britain was introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, marking the first time in nearly a decade that lawmakers will debate allowing doctors to help end people’s lives after previous court challenges to change the law failed
LONDON (AP) — A new bill aiming to legalize assisted dying in Britain was introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, marking the first time in nearly a decade that the House of Commons will debate allowing doctors to help end people’s lives after previous court challenges to change a legal blanket ban failed.
Labour politician Kim Leadbeater read out the name of the bill in the House of Commons, formally starting it on its journey through Parliament. The bill grants terminally ill people in England and Wales a way to allow physicians to help them die, although the details won’t be released until later in the month, ahead of its first substantial debate and a Parliamentary vote.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised that lawmakers will have a “free vote,” meaning they will not be obliged to vote along party lines. Starmer supported a 2015 assisted dying bill and has said “there are grounds for changing the law.”
“There is absolutely no question of disabled people or those with mental illness who are not terminally ill being pressured to end their lives,” Leadbeater said in a statement. She said it is “important that we get the legislation right, with the necessary protections and safeguards in place.”
