Dying people given renewed hope as Lauren Edwards MP takes forward the Assisted Dying Bill

Dignity in Dying has welcomed the announcement that Lauren Edwards MP will take forward the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, offering renewed hope to terminally ill people and their loved ones across England and Wales.

The Bill, which passed the House of Commons nearly a year ago with a clear majority after months of detailed scrutiny and debate, was blocked from reaching the voting stage in the House of Lords, following a sustained filibuster from a handful of anti-choice Peers and despite strong public and parliamentary support.

Lauren Edwards, Labour MP for Rochester and Strood in Kent, was born in Victoria, Australia – the first Australian state to legalise assisted dying, with similar laws now in place across the vast majority of the country. She has described assisted dying reform as “one of the most important, compassionate, and empowering changes to healthcare we’ve seen in a generation.” 

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:

“This announcement will come as an enormous relief to terminally ill people and their families. After decades of campaigning, and historic parliamentary progress towards  giving dying people proper choice and protection at the end of life, many feared that law change had been derailed despite the clear support of both the public and elected MPs.

“Lauren Edwards’ decision ensures that this vital conversation can continue. Every day, dying people are forced to endure suffering they would not choose, while others take desperate measures because the law offers them no safe, compassionate alternative. They deserve better.”

On Friday, Lauren Edwards MP spoke with campaigner Elise Burns, from the nearby constituency of Faversham in Kent, who is living with secondary breast cancer and has spoken publicly about the urgent need for greater choice at the end of life.

Elise Burns, 52, said:

“Like so many terminally ill people, I know that time is precious. That’s why Lauren Edwards’ decision means so much. It offers hope that Parliament has not given up on dying people.

The public overwhelmingly believes dying people should have choice, compassion and dignity at the end of life. We are not asking for special treatment; we are asking for the same peace of mind that people in other jurisdictions already have. I am grateful that Lauren is prepared to continue this work and listen to the voices of those most affected.”

Sarah Wootton continued:

“There remains strong and sustained support from MPs and Peers of all parties, many appalled at the deliberate obstruction of the Bill by a few unelected Lords. We hope that when the Bill returns to the Lords, they will grasp the opportunity to engage in civil, constructive debate with both hands. If they refuse, they should be aware that legitimate provisions exist to uphold our democratic process and ensure MPs have the final say.  

“What matters most is that terminally ill people are not denied change through the manipulation of parliamentary procedure. The public overwhelmingly supports assisted dying reform, MPs have already voted in favour of it, and dying people deserve to know that Parliament is committed to seeing this debate through.”

Dignity in Dying said that public support for assisted dying remains strong and that the focus should now be on delivering the reform backed by a majority of MPs after one of the most extensive debates on end-of-life choice in recent parliamentary history.

*ENDS*

For more information please contact Tom Steen, Media and Campaigns Officer at tom.steen@dignityindying.org.uk or 07356135578