MPs vote to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales

In a historic vote after an emotionally charged debate, British deputies approved, on Friday, November 29, in first reading, the legalization of assistance in dying for certain terminally ill patients. The bill, which affects England and Wales, mobilized MPs across traditional political divides.

It will still have to go through several stages before its final adoption. But, nine years after the rejection of a previous text by the House of Commons, MPs this time sided with 330 votes in favor (275 against) on the growing support of the British population for the legalization of assisted suicide , after almost five hours. of debate.

Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the bill, welcomed it and told the BBC that Parliament had grown. “at its best”with a debate “very respectful”. During the examination of the text, he assured that it would give “choice, autonomy and dignity” to adults in the terminal phase of an illness, who have only six months or less to live, while highlighting that this right will be governed by “very strict criteria”. Patients must be able to make an informed decision and take the substance that causes death themselves. Two doctors and a judge will have to agree.

Three quarters of residents support the law change

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had not spoken until now, voted in favor of the text, as in 2015. He had not given his majority any voting instructions. According to a recent YouGov poll, three quarters of people in England and Wales support the law change. Dozens of supporters and opponents of the text gathered on Friday in front of Parliament.

At the end of the vote, the organization Dignity in Dying greeted “a historic step towards better options and better protection for the dying”. The Care Not Killing association, opposed to assisted suicide, stated that “upset”emphasizing a result “extremely tight”. Currently, assisted suicide is illegal and carries a sentence of fourteen years in prison in cases of aiding and abetting.

During the debate, many MPs spoke, sometimes on the verge of tears, of the experience of a loved one who supported or opposed the text. Kim Leadbeater told the story of Norman, a man who had suffered from prostate cancer for fifteen years and who “he shot himself in the head” when the pain became unbearable. Current law “it is not clear and does not protect patients, families and healthcare personnel, which pushes people to desperate actions”he added.

Committee examination before returning to Parliament

For several weeks, the prospect of the vote has sparked an intense debate on ethical, religious but also economic foundations. About thirty spiritual leaders had shared their “deep concern”worrying that fragile people feel a “duty to die” to relieve your loved ones. “How can we guarantee that an elderly person in a nursing home, who has been given six months to live, does not say to himself: “I am a burden, (…) If I end my life now, my family will be able to save between £25,000 and £55,000”? »asked Richard Burgon, an independent MP.

Instead of assistance in dying, many opponents have called for better funding for palliative care, while the public health system is in deep crisis. Kim Leadbeater assured that this law contained “the strongest guarantees and protections in the world” and there was no “nothing to see” with those of Canada or Belgium, with much broader criteria.

The text must now be examined in committee, before being presented again for approval by both Houses of the British Parliament. During these stages, “We need to answer all the questions that have been raised today”citing palliative care, the rights of people with disabilities and the state of the health system, acknowledged M^me Leadbeater at the BBC.

Scotland, which has delegated health powers, is due to vote on its own bill in 2025. The Isle of Man is also considering a text, while the Channel Island of Jersey has validated the preparation of a law for 2027.