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Ed Davey warns assisted suicide could make elderly feel like a “burden”

The leader of the Liberal Democrats has concerns that legalising assisted suicide in the UK could put pressure on elderly people to end their lives to avoid feeling like a burden.

Sir Ed Davey voiced his concerns about assisted suicide on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme earlier this week saying how his personal experience caring for his mother as she died of cancer has shaped his views.

Despite her pain, he said they were able to ensure she had quality of life in her final days.

“She was in great pain, but we were able to make sure she had some quality of life and I think she wanted to be with us for a long time”, Sir Ed said.

Worries about pressure on the elderly

The Liberal Democrat leader went on to say that his other concern is the potential impact on elderly people’s thinking and feelings. He fears legalising assisted suicide could lead to indirect pressure on older individuals to end their lives to avoid being a burden.

“I don’t think that they should have any pressure – either indirect or, you know, the other way – that they’re a burden and that’s where I really worry”, Sir Ed said.

Sir Ed urged MPs “not to rush” a decision on assisted suicide legislation. In an interview with Sky News, he emphasised his scepticism toward changing the law and called for increased funding for end-of-life care as an alternative.

Despite Sir Ed’s reservations, the Liberal Democrats’ election manifesto pledged to allow a free vote for MPs on assisted suicide legislation. However, the party leader stressed that he does not believe the Lib Dems should lead this campaign.

Concerns about proposed Scottish legislation

Sir Ed declined to comment on Liberal Democrat proposals in Scotland that would potentially allow terminally ill 16 and 17-year-olds to access assisted suicide.

The debate over assisted suicide has gained attention in the UK, with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, promising a free vote if backbenchers propose legislation, and now reportedly looking to fast-track a vote on assisted suicide before Christmas.

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “Sir Ed Davey’s concerns about the impact on elderly people of legalising assisted suicide are well-founded. Creating an expectation for older individuals to end their lives prematurely to avoid being a ‘burden’ is a serious ethical issue that we cannot ignore”.

“In fact, in Oregon, which UK assisted suicide campaigners, Dignity in Dying, cite as a model for rolling out legislation, almost half of those who have ended their lives by assisted suicide in Oregon, said being a “[b]urden on family, friends/caregivers” was one of their “end-of-life concerns”.

“We urge all MPs to carefully consider these implications and prioritise improving end-of-life care rather than pursuing assisted suicide legislation”.

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Dear reader,

Despite the Leadbeater assisted-suicide Bill passing its Third Reading on 20 June, it scraped through by just 23 votes (314-291) after enjoying a 55-vote majority at Second Reading. Had 12 more MPs switched sides, the Bill would be dead. It now limps into the Lords with a wafer-thin majority, where peers can amend, delay or reject it outright.

THE CHALLENGE

Dignity in Dying, My Death My Decision and Humanists UK have poured millions into pushing assisted suicide and will fight hard to stop the Lords overturning the Bill.

At the same time, the Antoniazzi abortion-up-to-birth amendment, passed by MPs in June, also heads to the Lords. If it becomes law, it would no longer be illegal for women to perform their own abortions for any reason – including sex-selective purposes – and at any point up to and during birth.

We will be up against the UK’s largest abortion providers, BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices (formerly Marie Stopes), who are expected to push for even more extreme changes to our abortion laws in the Lords.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Thousands of vulnerable lives are now at stake. Battling these two threats is the biggest and most expensive effort in our history, and has drained our limited resources. To fight effectively on both fronts, we aim to raise £200,000 by midnight this Sunday (13 July 2025).

Every donation, large or small, will help protect lives, and UK taxpayers can add 25p to every £1 through Gift Aid at no extra cost.

Will you make a donation now to help protect vulnerable lives from these major threats?

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Help stop three major anti-life threats.

Help fight major assisted suicide and abortion up to birth threats.