MPs Argue Assisted Dying Law “Perpetuates Inequalities” In Landmark Debate

MPs from across the political divide have said the current law on assisted dying “perpetuates inequalities”, with some urging the government to bring forward a change to the law itself rather than leave it to Parliament.

On Monday, MPs attended a landmark general debate in Westminster Hall on the issue of whether there should be a change in the law relating to assisted dying, after an e-petition reached more than 207,000 signatures.

There were too many MPs in attendance for the number of chairs in the room – just one indication that the issue is becoming ever more prominent, and is expected to be a key theme in the next parliament after the upcoming general election. A poll last month, conducted by Opinium on behalf of pro-assisted dying organisation Dignity in Dying, showed 75 per cent of people in the UK were in support of making it legal for a person to seek assisted dying in the UK, compared to 14 per cent opposed.

MPs remain divided over whether assisted dying should be legalised, but both the Conservative government and Labour leader Keir Starmer have said that any change to the law should be led by Parliament through a Private Member’s Bill, on which MPs would be permitted a free vote.

In the debate, many MPs with opposing views spoke about the deaths of their own loved ones and recounted heartbreaking letters and conversations with their constituents – including some who broke down in tears.

Leading the debate, Labour MP and whip Tonia Antoniazzi said: “Whatever our own views, we must recognise that public opinion on assisted dying has shifted in one direction. Polls by Dignity in Dying have shown overwhelming support for law changes with safeguards in place.”

MPs from multiple parties said they held the view that the