The UK parliament will vote on a Labour MP’s assisted suicide bill, following Prime Minister Starmer’s July statement that he would allow it to proceed if an MP suggested modifying the nation’s law.
Jake Richards, the MP for Rother Valley, is behind the bill. Richards told The Times that he was picked for the private member’s bill ballot and hopes to amend “the archaic” assisted suicide legislation.
“I’ve campaigned for reforms to assisted dying laws for many years, and immediately upon finding out my name had been picked I was determined to bring this bill forward,” said Richards.
“I hope, and indeed expect, government to give this issue time and for the House to have a free vote, on my bill, or any other that changes the archaic law in this area,” he added.
Almost a decade ago, PM Starmer voted for changes to the law when it was brought for a vote in the Commons.
Richards did not secure a top-seven position in the PMB ballot, which would have ensured a full day of debate. However, he was drawn in the 11th position, which suggests that he is likely to secure some parliamentary time on a Friday sitting to debate a measure of his choosing. It is anticipated that this will be granted in the upcoming year.
Not all are thrilled about possible changes to the nation’s law. Ross Hendry, chief executive of Chrisitan Action, Research, and Education, is opposed to a change in the law, saying assisted suicide “undermines human dignity and puts vulnerable groups at greater risk of abuse and harm.”
“UK politicians should ensure that investment and infrastructure are in place to ensure high-quality palliative care for all people,” he added. “The UK has huge work to do in this area, given a chronic underfunding of this aspect of healthcare. We’d also emphasize the need to enhance suicide prevention, and work towards a society where all lives are considered.”
A separate assisted suicide reform bill has also been selected to be debated in mid-November, which is Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the former Labour justice secretary’s, House of Lord’s bill introduced as the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults.
Nathan Stilwell, a member of the group My Death, My Decision, praised Richard’s legislation: “This is likely to be the first step in changing a law to give adults a compassionate and dignified choice at the end of their lives.”
This Story originally came from humanevents.com
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