On 16 October. Kim Leadbeater MP announced her “choice at the end of life” Bill in the House of Commons. In the intervening days, many column inches have been allocated to the proposal. We’ve seen celebrity endorsement of the “right to die” by Dame Esther Rantzen, favourable comments from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and support from former chief prosecutors. On the other side of the debate, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has come out against a change in the law. We’ve also seen warnings from Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, disability organisations, senior members of the clergy, and a body representing palliative doctors. Sparring on the issue is certain to continue in weeks to come, with Second Reading of Kim Leadbeater’s Bill scheduled for the 29th of November.
Everyone wants to see Britons receiving excellent care at the end of life. A desire to improve outcomes in this area is shared by supporters and opponents of Ms Leadbeater’s Bill. However, “assisted dying” — or physician-assisted suicide as it ought to be referred to — raises huge questions. Is it right for doctors to participate in the ending of patients’ lives or does this undermine the core values of the medical profession? Can we uphold the foundational idea that all human beings have intrinsic value and dignity whilst aiding the suicides of the seriously ill? And is legislating for the idea that some lives aren’t worth living a positive step for a society to take?