Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to bring forth a vote on legalising assisted dying in the UK if Labour wins the next general election, following discussions with Dame Esther Rantzen and amidst growing public support.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has announced his intention to conduct a parliamentary vote on legalising assisted dying if his party wins the next general election. This declaration came after discussions with television presenter and advocate Dame Esther Rantzen, who has been a proponent of changing the law since her terminal cancer diagnosis in 2023. Dame Esther’s engagement with the Swiss assisted dying society, Dignitas, has played a significant role in her advocacy efforts.
Current legislation in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland makes assisted suicide illegal, subjecting individuals who assist to potential imprisonment, while Scotland’s laws, though not specifying the act as a distinct criminal offence, could classify assistance as murder. Furthermore, Scotland is expected to introduce a bill to legalize assisted dying.
Highlighting the differences in approach within the UK and aligning with legislative considerations in other European countries like France, Sir Keir’s support for assisted dying legislation represents a substantial shift in political dialogue on the topic. The Labour leader’s stance follows data from an Opinium poll for Dignity in Dying, indicating that 75% of respondents advocate for a law change.
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, commended Sir Keir’s promise, stressing the significance of this issue to voters across the political spectrum and the necessity of a compassionate choice for terminally ill individuals. The debate on legalising assisted dying, contingent upon Labour’s election victory, aims to address these concerns, offering Parliament the chance to deliberate on the sensitive matter. Critics of legalisation caution against potential risks to vulnerable people, underscoring the complexities surrounding this debate.
