Politics
The huge intervention that could decide the fate of the End Of Life Bill
The full details of the End Of Life Bill are now known, and MPs and peers will have time to study its contents ahead of making one of their most important decisions.
We have not had societal change like this since the Abortion Act of 1967.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has done some exhaustive research in preparing her bill, which is due to be published on Tuesday.
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What is assisted dying?
It should go some way to allay fears around safeguarding the most vulnerable communities and to stop the “slippery slope” effect: when the bill identifies one particular cohort but is then changed – usually through legal challenges – to include more and more groups.
This is what has happened in other jurisdictions.
But the MP insists that only terminally ill patients with six months or less to live can qualify for an assisted death and that once passed, the bill cannot be changed or altered.
The application to die will only be allowed after being signed off by two independent doctors and a High Court judge.
Leadbeater says it is the strictest safeguarding applied to assisted dying legislation anywhere in the world. That might help change the minds of some politicians who are still undecided.
However, the concerns around the further erosion in palliative care still exist.
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Even the Health Secretary Wes Streeting said this is why he opposes the move.
This is a huge intervention and one that could decide the bill’s fate.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting will not support the bill. Pic: PA
Leadbeater makes a powerful argument when she says the two: good palliative care and the option for some terminally ill patients to end their own lives, can happen simultaneously.
Read more:
Ed Davey recalls ‘pain’ of looking after terminally ill mum as a child
Leadbeater says legally assisted dying won’t lead to ‘slippery slope’
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There is also some resistance from NHS staff who say the health service cannot cope with the extra burden. That is a valid concern that needs to be addressed.
It is a deeply complex and divisive issue, many people will have deep rooted opinions and will not be swayed by any argument in favour or against.
The rest now have an opportunity to study the detail and make up their own minds.