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A recent call from a group of medics, disability campaigners, and faith leaders urges undecided MPs to vote against the proposed Assisted Dying Bill. They highlight concerns about possible coercion, the strain it could place on judges and the court system, and other issues outlined in their book, “The Reality of Assisted Dying: Understanding the Issues.”
Supporters of the Bill, including former prime minister Lord Cameron and former health secretaries Andy Burnham and Matt Hancock, argue for its passage. However, opposition from ex-PMs Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Gordon Brown is strong. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, with both sides nearly evenly split, according to a spreadsheet seen by The Independent.
Baroness Grey-Thompson, a Paralympian and peer, has expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the Bill, warning that it could enable families to engage in “doctor shopping” to end the lives of vulnerable individuals. Despite claims of stringent safeguards, she believes the reality may be different and raise ethical challenges.
The upcoming debate on the Assisted Dying Bill is expected to be lengthy, with at least 175 MPs requesting to speak. Many MPs have yet to publicly declare their stance on the issue, indicating that the final decision hangs in the balance. The outcome of this vote could have significant implications for the future of assisted dying in Britain and mark a major social change in decades.
