Assisted dying to be debated in Commons for the first time since 2022, secured by Dame Esther Rantzen and 200k supporters

MPs will debate assisted dying for the first time in almost two years on Monday 29th April 2024, after a government petition backed by Dame Esther Rantzen, Dignity in Dying and the Daily Express secured more than 200,000 signatures.

Ahead of the debate, supporters of law change – including high profile figures such as Jonathan Dimbleby, Dame Susan Hampshire and Peter Tatchell, MPs and Peers, and terminally ill people and bereaved relatives – will gather outside the Houses of Parliament from 2pm to 4pm near the King George V statue in Old Palace Yard for a demonstration, with a photocall taking place at 2.30pm sharp and speeches starting from 3pm. Interviews will also be available.

The Westminster Hall debate will take place from 4:30pm to 7:30pm and can be watched online here. A vote will not be held, as is the convention for petition debates.

Dame Esther Rantzen DBE said, “On Monday 29th April, MPs will have the opportunity to debate assisted dying – an issue that is crucial to most constituents up and down the country.  This is an opportunity for us to spread public awareness of this crucial life and death issue. According to the most recent survey, three quarters of voters now believe the time has come to change our current law which criminalises assisted dying.  More than 200,000 have now signed the petition to reform the law, securing this critical Westminster Hall debate.

“The recent Select Committee report took evidence from countries that have already legalised assisted dying, proving that far from undermining palliative care there, as some fear, in some cases it has had a positive impact. Medical professionals, for instance the BMA, have changed their views since MPs last debated legislation in 2015 and many now recommend individual choice.

“While, sadly, my health issues (I have stage four lung cancer) prevent me from attending it myself, I will be watching the debate closely as it affects my own decision to go to Dignitas in Zurich if necessary, to protect my family from witnessing a painful death. I know palliative care can be wonderful in this country, but it cannot guarantee the dignified, pain-free death we terminally ill patients all hope for. The current law means my family could be prosecuted for supporting me if I go to Switzerland.  This is not right, it is not ethical, and as it is my life, I, like the majority of the public, believe it should be my choice.

“Please support the campaign for parliamentary time and a free vote on assisted dying, so that we have the opportunity to change our current cruel, outdated law.”

In recent months, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have each pledged that a Tory or Labour government would allow time for the next parliament to consider assisted dying.

There is majority support for a change in the law on assisted dying in every parliamentary constituency in Great Britain, according to the largest and most in-depth public polling ever conducted on the issue. Three-quarters of respondents (75%) across the country said that they would support making it lawful for dying adults to access assisted dying in the UK, with support consistently high across voting intention, socioeconomic background, people with religious views and people who live with disabilities.

This comes as assisted dying proposals in Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man to legalise the choice for residents are set to be debated in the coming months, with the option already available in more than 30 jurisdictions around the world, covering hundreds of millions of people.

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For more information or interview requests, please email Tom Steen at Dignity in Dying, Tom.Steen@dignityindying.org.uk or call Will Harris of Boardwalk Communications on 07976 622 965.