Credit: UK Parliament. Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament

Assisted dying campaigners have been pressing the Prime Minister to support Baroness Meacher’s Private Member’s Bill, which successfully passed its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 22 October. However, Boris Johnson recently went on the record indicating that he would not support the Bill if it was brought before the House of Commons.

If it were to become Law, Baroness Meacher’s Bill would legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill. However, it is difficult for Private Members’ Bills to become law because they are often not allocated adequate time by the Government to pass through all the necessary stages in Parliament. 

In the past, Boris Johnson has expressed a more supportive view of assisted dying reform, albeit limited to those with six months or fewer to live. In 2014, whilst Mayor of London, his column for the Telegraph states that “we know that it is humane – something we hope someone may have the kindness eventually to do to us, too.” This was in response to a similar Bill introduced at the time by Lord Falconer.

Earlier this year the Government also indicated it was exploring the impact of current legislation, when the former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, requested more data from the Office of National Statistics regarding suicides by those who are terminally ill. This was in response to ONS statistics which suggested as many as 1 in 7 suicides in the UK is by someone that has been treated for cancer, neurological, heart or lung disease in the previous 12 months. Matt Hancock subsequently told the All-Parliamentary Party Group for Dying Well that it is important that the assisted dying debate is “as well informed as possible”. The Government has stated that it does not collect data on assisted dying in the UK. 

The Government’s official view is that any changes to assisted dying legislation should be an issue of individual conscience to be debated and decided in Parliament. However, the lack of Government support means it is unlikely that there would be an adequate opportunity for debate in the Commons should the Bill pass successfully through the House of Lords. Private Members’ Bills are often ‘timed-out’ as they cannot be carried over into subsequent Parliamentary sessions, but the Government can choose to allocate them more time if they would like to support the passing of the Bill. 

Baroness Meacher’s Bill is currently awaiting a date for its Committee Stage in the House of Lords after successfully passing its Second Reading.

Notes:

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

A British woman who has travelled to Switzerland to end her life has urged politicians to launch a parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying, as her last wish before she died. Her plea has been released by the campaign group My Death, My Decision to coincide with a worldwide ‘beacon of light’ initiative for the legalisation of assisted dying, organised by the World Federation of Right to Die Societies. 

Dawn Voice-Cooper, 76, a former mental health support worker from Kent, ended her life in the Swiss assisted dying facility Lifecircle on Thursday last week. 

She had been suffering from several incurable medical conditions, including chronic arthritis which made her incapable of walking more than a few feet without pain,and endured regular brain bleeds.. 

Dawn had been reluctant to end her life, but due to her rapidly deteriorating condition felt compelled to travel to Switzerland whilst she was physically capable of doing so.

Prior to her death, Dawn recorded a statement urging politicians to support her right to die and to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the law. Her appeal has been released as part of a worldwide initiative, where activists from more than 30 countries around the world have demanded the legalisation of assisted dying. 

It also follows shortly after a new YouGov poll, commissioned by the campaign group My Death, My Decision, found that for the first time ever a majority of MPs personally support the legalisation of assisted dying.  

Assisted dying is unlawful in England and Wales and those found guilty can face up to fourteen years’ imprisonment. 

Recently, a bill to legalise assisted dying for those with terminal illnesses passed its second reading in the House of Lords. However, this bill would not have covered those facing unbearable but non-life-threatening conditions such as Dawn. 

My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said: 

‘Dawn’s story underscores the cruel and indefensible nature of our existing laws on assisted dying. Yet tragically, her story is not unique. At least one Briton will now travel to Switzerland from the UK to end their lives every week. Many will choose to do so earlier than they would have otherwise wished, because they fear they will not be physically capable of doing so at a later date. 

‘Importantly, Dawn’s story also highlights the critical need for politicians not to lock those with incurably suffering outside of efforts to change the law on assisted dying. Under the House of Lords current proposals, people with unbearable suffering who have more than six months to live will not qualify for the choice of an assisted death. This means that the prospective law would not have helped Dawn, nor the thousands of other people in her situation. Nearly nine in ten (88%) members of the public agree that assisted dying should be available for either those suffering from terminal or incurable conditions. And according to the BMA members’ survey, a majority of medics would prefer a change in the law  inclusive of both the terminally ill and incurably suffering. 

‘Dawn’s heartfelt plea for a change in the law is therefore a timely reminder of the urgent need for politicians to pick up the baton left by brave campaigners before her, and to speak up for change on behalf of both those with terminal or incurable conditions.

‘As a longstanding member, campaigner, and friend of My Death, My Decision we are glad that Dawn has finally been able to find peace. But we urge lawmakers to ensure that she is the last case of someone forced to leave their home in the UK in order to do so. Now is the moment to change the law on assisted dying.’

In a statement before her death, Dawn said: 

‘I have all but lost my freedom of movement, and can no longer walk great distances. Even a short walk causes pain. I have to take a fair amount of medication each day. So far, I have managed without needing care support, but I know that in the near future, this will change. However, even the best care in the world would not alter the fact that it is just an endless, often difficult, and usually painful, daily management of several, incurable issues. My left arm is weakened, and I can no longer do much with it. Coupled with severe arthritis, it is both challenging and frustrating. More than that though, as a result of untreatable brain bleeds which could continue, I am losing the ability to express myself both verbally and in writing. 

‘My body is old, worn out, and failing. I am really fearful of being trapped in that body with no way out. It’s a horrible feeling, because I have always been independent.  I chose how to live my life; and now the suffering and sadness feel, at times, unbearable. I believe I should be able to choose how to die. My choice would be legal Assisted Dying in the UK. However, because this is not possible – and would not be possible for me, even if the bill proposed by Baroness Meacher is passed – I have applied, and been accepted, for an Assisted Death in Switzerland. A death that I and I alone choose and physically act on, and take sole responsibility for. But I have to go while I am still able to travel, and while I still have capacity. While I am still able to – alone and independently – release the drug into my system. The drug that will ease my way to a death of my choosing – a peaceful, pain free and dignified death.

‘Baroness Meacher, when asked about promoting a more inclusive policy on assisted dying states how difficult it’s been so far and how much opposition she meets. This makes sense, because many MPs have very little knowledge or understanding of assisted dying, it’s process and safeguards. That’s why I believe that Baroness Meacher’s Bill should be used as a spring board to call for a comprehensive Parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying. Such an inquiry could provide all the evidenced needed to enable MPs to make an informed choice when voting and in turn, create a fair and compassionate assisted dying law here in the UK.’

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact Trevor Moore, My Death, My Decision’s Chair at trevor.moore@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07967 000546. 

Trevor Moore and Alex Pandolfo, who accompanied Dawn to Switzerland, are available for interview. 

Footage and photographs of Dawn Voice-Cooper, free for media use. 

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

A new survey has found that a majority of MPs (58%) personally believe assisted dying should be legalised, in at least some circumstances. It also found that nearly half of MPs (45%) would be willing to support a broader change in the law for those with Alzheimer’s disease. And MPs elected since 2019 are the most likely to favour reform. 

My Death, My Decision – who commissioned the poll and campaign to legalise assisted dying for people who are either terminally ill or incurably suffering – say the results show that the views of lawmakers are starting to catch up with public opinion.  

The YouGov survey asked 103 MPs about their personal views on whether assisted dying was correct in several different scenarios.

Unlike a recent survey – where 35% of MPs said they’d support assisted dying for the terminally ill but only 16% said they would for the incurably suffering – the latest poll specifically asked MPs whether they thought assisted dying was correct ‘irrespective of what you think has the best chances of becoming legislation’. 

The new survey also revealed that the strongest levels of support for assisted dying were amongst MPs elected since 2019. While 86% thought assisted dying was acceptable for those with six months to live, 69% also considered it acceptable in the broader case of someone with Alzheimer’s, in at least some circumstances. 

On 22 October, the House of Lords proposals to legalise assisted dying for those with six or fewer months left to live passed its second reading. The MDMD survey suggests that were these proposals debated in the House of Commons they would command a winning majority. As might a broader assisted dying law, if Parliamentarians could hear evidence from those countries that have taken that path.

My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said: 

‘The law prohibiting assisted dying has been way out of step with public opinion for several decades. Since an overwhelming majority of people believe that those suffering from terminal or incurable conditions deserve a say over the manner and timing of their own death, it is only our elected lawmakers who are the stumbling block for reform. They need to catch up.

‘As Parliament prepares to debate assisted dying for the first time in nearly half a decade, this survey suggests that opinion may finally have changed. It would be disappointing if MPs were to restrict the right to die for those with six months left to live – ignoring the broader view of both the medical profession and the overwhelming majority of the public. With nearly half of all MPs personally favouring a broader change in the law, and support for assisted dying at its strongest amongst newly elected MPs, it is to be hoped that a better appreciation of the issues gleaned from Parliamentary debate would swing the pendulum in favour of such a law.’

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.

YouGov Poll 

YouGov completed online interviews with a representative sample of 103 MPs. The survey was completed between 6 and 27 July 2021. Polling tables are available on request from campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk. 

MPs were asked ‘Irrespective of what you think has the best chances of becoming legislation, to what extent do you think it is acceptable for a doctor to assist a person to die in each of the following scenarios? In all cases, the person in question is mentally competent and has been approved by two doctors and an independent professional to ensure that they have made a free choice’. 

About Assisted Dying 

Helping someone to end their life is a criminal offence that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years and is prohibited by s2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961. 

According to a 2019 poll from the National Centre for Social Research, commissioned by My Death, My Decision, up to 88% of the public favour legalising assisted dying for people with six or fewer months to live and for people with Alzheimer’s, in at least some circumstances. 

Assisted dying is permitted or will soon become permitted in Austria, Canada, Colombia, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, New Zealand, 11 jurisdictions in the United States of America, and 4 states in Australia. 

On September 14 2021, the BMA voted to end its long-standing opposition to assisted dying. This followed on from its members’ survey in 2020, where half of all doctors said they personally supported legalising assisted dying. Moreover, if the law were to change, 59% of doctors felt patients with physical conditions causing intolerable suffering should be eligible; whereas only 24% thought assisted dying should be restricted to those likely to die within the next six months. 

On 22 October Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying [HL] Bill will receive its second reading. This will be the first time Parliament has debated proposals to legalise assisted dying since Rob Marris’ private members’ bill in 2015. Under the prospective law, doctors will be allowed to prescribe lethal medication to patients with less than six months to live, subject to a range of safeguarding including the consent of a High Court judge.

About My Death, My Decision 

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots not-for-profit campaign group, which advocates for a change in the law to allow those who are terminally ill or incurably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. 

We were founded to represent the interests of those facing constant and unbearable suffering, at a time when no other right to die organisation would, and to advocate on their behalf to secure a lasting change in the law. We have quickly become one of the leading assisted dying organisations in England and Wales. We are advised by an expert medical group, are a founding member of the UK Assisted Dying Coalition, and are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow assisted dying for those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill.