Westminster Hall debate: Majority of speakers back inquiry into assisted dying laws

A majority of MPs speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on assisted dying this afternoon (Thursday 23 January 2020) have backed an inquiry into current legislation. This follows an assisted dying debate in the Isle of Man’s Parliament yesterday (Wednesday 22 January 2020), in which amendments to block or delay discussion were heavily defeated.

Christine Jardine MP led the Westminster Hall debate, raising concerns about the functioning and impact of the UK’s blanket ban on assisted dying and calling for a Government inquiry into current legislation.

Support for a call for evidence was expressed by a majority of speakers, including newly elected MPs Alicia Kearns, Elliot Colburn and Aaron Bell. The experiences of those who have been criminalised under the current law, such as Ann Whaley and Mavis Eccleston, were raised by several speakers.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK (Member of the House of Keys) proposed a motion on assisted dying at the January sitting of Tynwald yesterday, commenting that the debate had delivered on its aim to “promote discussion”. It was the first time Tynwald had debated the issue since 2015.

Opponents of assisted dying lodged a negative amendment that would have seen the Tynwald vote against any further discussion of assisted dying, but this was heavily defeated. Another amendment that urged for the debate to be delayed until further research and consultation could be carried out was also voted down.

Dr Allinson’s original motion was amended by a unanimous vote of the Tynwald, meaning that the Manx Parliament has noted the debate and the views of individual members on assisted dying. This ensures that the debate on assisted dying on the Isle of Man remains an active issue, in spite of heavy lobbying to the contrary.

Speaking at the Westminster Hall debate, Christine Jardine said:

“The current law in this country on assisted dying is simply not working, and what I am hoping we will begin to address today is understanding the effect of that law on terminally ill people and their loved ones, and on the public servants – doctors, health and social care professionals, police and coroners – who in different ways are also profoundly affected by our laws on assisted dying.”

Commenting on the Tynwald debate, Dr Allinson said:

“I am glad that the motion triggered a debate not only in Tynwald but in our wider community. The result demonstrates an appetite for more discussion of the principals of assisted dying and willingness by the island to consider choice and autonomy being at the heart of end of life care.”

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

“Parliamentarians in Westminster and the Isle of Man should be commended for grasping the nettle on this important topic. A clear majority of MPs speaking at the Westminster debate support an inquiry into our cruel laws, and attempts to shut down this vital conversation in Tynwald were heavily defeated.

“A change in the law is supported by the vast majority of the British public, who recognise that the status quo is simply not working. Compassion should not be a crime, but under our current assisted dying laws, it is. Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Keys rightly pointed out that it is compassion which is driving this debate.

“Not only are terminally ill people denied the right to die on their own terms, forcing them to resort to drastic measures at home and abroad, but their family members are then criminalised for acts of love. Our outdated assisted dying laws deserve to be scrutinised, not dying people and their families.

“Meanwhile overseas, one in three Australians, one in five Americans, all Canadians and likely soon all New Zealanders will have access to safe, compassionate assisted dying laws. Jurisdictions across the British Isles should follow in their footsteps. Mounting evidence shows that this is not only possible, but the right thing to do.”

***ENDS***

For more information, photos, and interview requests, please contact Ellie Ball, Media & Campaigns Manager at Dignity in Dying on 0207 479 7732 / 07725 433 025 or ellie.ball@dignityindying.org.uk

Notes to Editor:

Assisted dying proposals in the British Isles and Crown Dependencies

A Westminster Hall debate on assisted dying took place on 23 January 2020. The functioning and impact of the current law was debated at a backbench business committee debate in July 2019. Proposals for assisted dying legislation were last debated in the Commons in September 2015.

The Isle of Man’s Parliament, Tynwald, debated assisted dying at its January sitting on 22 January 2020. It last debated legislation in 2015.

Jersey’s Council of Ministers announced in 2019 that it would undertake detailed research into the views of residents, overseas developments and potential legislation.

The Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands voted in favour of two motions on assisted dying in July 2018 (that terminally ill residents should have the right to die at a time and place of their choosing, and that should legislation be introduced in the UK, the Falkland Islands would consider adopting it).

The States of Guernsey last debated assisted dying proposals in May 2018.

The House of Commons last debated an assisted dying bill in September 2015.

International developments

Assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults in their final months of life is legal in ten US jurisdictions: Oregon (1997), Washington, Vermont, Montana, the District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey and Maine (June 2019).

Victoria became the first Australian state to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people in June 2019. Western Australia voted to legalise a similar bill in December 2019.

New Zealand will put an End of Life Choice Bill to a public referendum in 2020 after the legislation passed third reading in November 2019.

Canada legalised medical aid in dying (MAID) in June 2016. As a result of the Canadian Supreme Court’s judgment in Carter v Canada in February 2015, the Canadian government introduced assisted dying legislation in June 2016.

Healthcare professionals

The Royal College of GPs is set to announce the results of a membership survey on assisted dying in February 2020.

The British Medical Association is due to launch its first ever membership survey on assisted dying in February 2020.

Last year, the Royal College of Physicians dropped its longstanding opposition to assisted dying in favour of neutrality following a member survey.

About Dignity in Dying

Dignity in Dying campaigns for greater choice, control and access to services at the end of life. It campaigns within the law to change the law, to allow assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults with six months or less to live – something supported by 84% of the public (Populus, 2019).

Dignity in Dying does not provide practical assistance or advice in ending life, nor does it provide enquirers with the contact details of organisations who do so.