Assisted Dying Bill passed by slim majority

[smallglassbottle]

https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-starmer-assisted-dying-trump-israel-iran-labour-12593360

Not enough safeguards.

A simple one could be that you have to register to say that if you ever came within the scope of the law, you are prepared to consider it. So making a decision when in good health, not in pain or agony, and reducing the possibility of coercion.

• have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure

It’s very difficult to prove absence of coercion or pressure, especially the pressure that comes from knowing that if you do want to live with a degenerative illness, there simply isn’t easily available, suitable care. If your choice is living with 4 x 15 minute care visits a day and/or your family providing 24 hour care, with minimal financial support can you honestly say the person won’t feel pressure to end their life before it gets to that point.

Assisted dying is one thing when it’s part of a spectrum of home care, hospital, palliative and hospice care, but that’s not what’s on offer here.

It’s naive to think that any of this is about religion having power.

Plenty of people are voting against it because of the lack of safeguards, because of the evidence that it is too open to coercion based on what happens in other countries.

I’m a confirmed atheist and I hope that it’s shot down in the lords.

But you would rather force them to live miserably, feeling guilty and a burden for the rest of their life?

Anyway, no one is going to be making patients feel it would be better for their families if they end their life, just as no one is currently making patients feel their should have an abortion because it would be better for their boyfriend.

Honestly the hyperbole on her is just on this thread is just ridiculous.

Totally agree. The power of religion being that many MPs are religious and their religion ‘guides’ their thoughts on this issue, and hence their vote.

The fact religious ideas can have an impact on government policy in this day and age, in the UK, is troublesome.

I watched an earlier debate and the ‘arguments’ against, put forward by MPs with strongly religious leanings, was shocking. I don’t know why I was surprised, looking back.

Is it possible, if this law goes through, that there might be "death specialists" who take on a latter role like a latter day Albert Pierrepoint, that we'll start to see

Religious Care Homes and Hospices asked to be exempt but it was declined at this stage.
So they announced if it gets through they’ll all have to close

Hoping the Lords will approve exemption ( amongst many other necessary changes )
Or just throw it out as it’s not fit for purpose currently

So you think it's better for people to have to try to safely kill themselves? What are you suggesting? Just walk into traffic? Hang yourself? Honestly I can't believe you would present that as a viable option.

No medical professional has to aid someone's death, just like no medical professional has to perform abortions.

In Canada you must have a grievous and irremediable condition to be entitled to assisted dying. Why would you prefer those people to be forced to live in misery just because it makes you feel more comfortable?

Many countries have assisted dying and nowhere has it become eugenics.

Very relieved it has passed.

Those who think suicide is always an option have clearly never experienced what that can mean in practise - refusing food and drink is often the only choice left. It's not quick, it's not a good option and sometimes stupid professionals feel they have the right to feed and hydrate you when you can no longer stop them.

There are safeguards, delay is built into the system, you have to convince people that this is what they really want. As for coercion - no-one will need to "coerce" me, I want to protect my family from ever having to experience what I have experienced with relatives. A few months of pain, suffering, loss of any dignity or a calm, peaceful exit - I know which I want and so do my family. I have threatened to haunt them if they try to keep me around past my chosen date.

Religious Care Homes and Hospices asked to be exempt but it was declined at this stage.
So they announced if it gets through they’ll all have to close

Good. The sooner the better.

Me too

I'm not against it in principle and if we lived in a society where we had healthcare, palliative care, social care, disability benefits and rights, mental healthcare, poverty and homelessness all sorted and the right to die was just an additional option without taking any other option and sufficient safeguards in place then I think I would be in favour of it. However we live in a society with none of that sorted and so I think its very dangerous to introduce this option when everything is already such a mess. I do think their will be more cases brought to widen its scope to more and more people and I can't see how vulnerable people won't be coerced by family or institutions or feel duty bound to choose death.

I do understand about those facing or watching loved ones go though a horrible. slow or painful death and I do think those people should have a right to choose. However as a society I do not think we are yet in a place where we can utilise this right responsibly, its a travesty waiting to happen.

Let’s not forget the wealth inequality issue here. Currently people who can afford it, and who are able, can go over to Switzerland. To top themselves on their own time, in peace. Sometimes, tragically, they’ve had to do it earlier than necessary rather than run out of time to ‘be able’ to do it.

People that can’t afford Switzerland, don’t even have that option.

The AD option will be open to those who are eligible, regardless of wealth.

I would 100% ask for this in advance and accept that I might fight it in the later stages. If you don't want to make that choice then equally you 100% don't have to. I do not want someone wiping my ass while I lie in bed not even knowing what day it is or who my child is. If you are happy with that then you carry on - but you shouldn't be forcing it on others.

Me too

So you agree with people choosing to kill themselves but you don't agree with someone choosing to believe in God?

I’m so happy this passed. For anyone who has ever watched loved one’s crying in pain and begging for death, you’ll understand.

Except there aren’t enough hospices or Care Homes.
So really not good
Unless the Government want to build them.

A relief that this has been passed.
People are obligated to live on far past the point of living a fulfilling pain free life. We don’t keep animals alive when they’re in crippling pain with no chance of recovery. It’s certainly time to give people options.

The clinics in Switzerland are in office blocks on industrial estates and they don't bother to call your relatives
.
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-27/swiss-clinic-helps-another-briton-to-die-in-secret-despite-promises

People can believe in whatever superstitious nonsense they want to believe in. What they shouldn’t be able to do is to impose their beliefs to restrict the freedoms of others.

Wouldn’t AD here in the UK be a better option?

I hate the thought of unelected Lords blocking this. 26 of whom are C of E bishops and some of whom inherited their seat based on family title

Can you provide some evidence to your claim of dementia patients being 'murdered' in Belgium and The Netherlands?

My concern is who gets to decide what a fulfilling life is for those without capacity such as those with severe autism? They clearly do not have capacity to make such a decision but who is to say that ten years after this gets implemented the law changes to include them. Their lives could be classed as not fulfilling and then the LA or person who has deputyship can make that decision for them. For the majority of people who have severe ld/autism the LA make decisions over their lives. I can see this being used as a means of cost saving.