Less than three months into his premiership, Sir Keir Starmer appears ready to fast-track a bill to legalise “assisted dying” and push the measure through the Commons before Christmas. This would give adults who are terminally ill with a life expectancy of less than six months an option to end their lives with medical assistance. MPs who have achieved a high enough place in the private members’ ballot to guarantee parliamentary time are being encouraged to propose such a bill.
What’s the rush? Fast-tracking legislation is never a good idea. Adequate debate is curtailed, and without proper scrutiny the bill may turn into sloppy and error-strewn law. Moreover, the issue is intensely divisive. The justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said she couldn’t back it because it was dangerous. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, said he was “deeply uncomfortable” with the idea.
