Parliament passes Assisted Dying Bill: What it means for us

Two doctors diagnosing critically ill adults. Pictures from: Getty Images, Unsplash+

In the house of commons, on 29 November, a majority of MP’s voted to pass the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The vote, was split through all of the parties, with party leaders allowing free votes – this is where MP’s are free to vote based on their personal feelings, rather than following party lines.

The bill itself, allows terminally ill people the ability to request, and be provided with, assistance to end their own life. For somebody to be eligible under this bill, patients must have the mental capacity to make a “clear, settled and informed” decision, free from coercion or pressure.

As well as this, once the decision has been made, two independent doctors and a judge must be satisfied the patient is eligible and has made the decision voluntarily.

The bill was drafted by Kim Leadbeater, MP for Spen Valley. She argues MP’s have a chance to “correct injustice and reduce human suffering” . The argument for the bill, is that terminally ill people should have the option to end their suffering, allowing people at the end of their life to die with dignity. It is also argued that the current law around the issue is not working, with some people travelling abroad for the treatment, where euthanasia Is legal, but several people have been arrested for helping their loved ones fulfil their last wish.

There are some fears, around misuse of this bill, though. Almost 50 leading law professors and practitioners have signed and sent a letter to the Observer titled, “The Perils of Assisted Dying”.

In the letter, it is argued that where assisted dying is implemented, two things are struggled with most. Firstly, the ability to draft and provide adequate legal safeguards for patients as well as the tendency for such laws to expand, with some regulation and safeguards referred to as “barriers to access” over the pond.

If the bill turns into law, it is highly likely the majority of people who use the service would be in the older age bracket, but what do young people think about this change in law?

According to a YouGov poll released on 22 November 2024, three quarters of Britain supports the assisted dying bill, with 66% of people aged 18-24 in support. This is rather large support for every age group, but 2/3 would suggest a majority of young people do support the bill as it is.

The bill is heading for a committee stage next, but the hardest part of turning bill into law has been done – getting it through its first and second readings. The application of the bill in the future will, undoubtedly allow more patients some dignity in their death, but it is unknown if the counter arguments will prove anything other than that, just counter arguments.

But one thing can be said, misuse of this law is no joke – serious safeguarding protections must be put into place to prevent coercion and assure this law will only be used by those that need it.