Minister Ed Miliband says he will back law change allowing assisted dying to end cruel treatment of the terminally ill ahead of landmark vote by MPs next month
Ed Miliband will back a law change in favour of legalising assisted dying, he confirmed today as MPs prepare for a landmark vote next month.
Ed Miliband will back a law change in favour of legalising assisted dying, he confirmed today as MPs prepare for a landmark vote next month.
The Cabinet minister branded the current law cruel towards those who are in the late stage of a terminal illness and in great pain.
Proposals to allow assisted dying will be laid out in Parliament later this month.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has tabled a Private Members Bill to give people choice at the end of life, with Downing Street indicating it will not obstruct its progress.
Ministers are expected to be given a free vote on what is deemed a conscience issue.
Energy Secretary Mr Miliband was asked by ITVs Good Morning Britain if he would back a new law, replying: I will be voting for the assisted dying Bill.
These are very complex and difficult issues and there are very respectable views on both sides.
For my part, I know there are people who are in the late stages of terminal illnesses, and I think the current situation is rather cruel actually.
The Cabinet minister branded the current law cruel towards those who are in the late stage of a terminal illness and in great pain.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said she hoped for honest, compassionate and respectful debate when her Bill, which will be tabled on October 16, is considered in the Commons
Ministers are expected to be given a free vote on what is deemed a conscience issue.
Dame Esther said she is thrilled and grateful at the news, which she said could mean terminally ill people like me can look forward with hope and confidence that we could have a good death
I think people having control over their own life and their own death is something that is the right thing to do.
Obviously there have to be proper safeguards and I understand the concerns of some people on these issues, but my personal view will to be vote in favour of this Bill.
Spen Valley MP Ms Leadbeater has asked for honest, compassionate and respectful debate when her Bill, which will be tabled on October 16, is considered in the Commons.
Her proposal would allow eligible adults to end their lives and ensure stronger protections for them and their loved ones in the aftermath.
Dame Esther Rantzen, who has been campaigning on the issue since being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, said the legislation could spark new hope for thousands of terminally-ill patients.
The Childline founder also said she was thrilled and grateful at the news, which she said could mean terminally-ill people like me can look forward with hope and confidence that we could have a good death.
She said: I never thought I might live to see the current cruel law change.
But even if it is too late for me, I know thousands of terminally-ill patients and their families will be given new hope.
Earlier this month Sir Keir Starmer said he had given Dame Esther his word that there would be a private members bill on the issue.
The Prime Minister added: I repeat that commitment. I made it to her personally and I meant it, and we will.
Ms Leadbeater said: Parliament should now be able to consider a change in the law that would offer reassurance and relief — and most importantly, dignity and choice — to people in the last months of their lives.
Campaigners supporting assisted dying. When the issue was last debated by the Commons in 2015, it was defeated on a free vote by 330 votes to 118. But it stands a greater chance of being passed now because of the influx of new Labour MPs
Campaigners protest against assisted dying. Sir Keirs Cabinet is split on the issue. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said: I dont intend to support it
I believe that with the right safeguards and protections in place, people who are already dying and are mentally competent to make a decision should be given the choice of a shorter, less painful death, on their own terms and without placing family and loved ones at risk of prosecution.
It will be the first time the topic has been debated in the Commons since 2015, when an assisted dying bill was defeated.
The issue has come to prominence once again in recent months after several high-profile figures, including Dame Esther, called for a parliamentary debate and vote.
There is widespread agreement that the current legislation, passed over 60 years ago, is no longer fit for purpose, Ms Leadbeater added.
Not tackling the issue would leave too many people as they come to the end of their life continuing to suffer in often unbearable pain and fear of what is to come, denied the choice they deserve, she claimed.
The Prime Minister has previously said he supports a change in the law, while No 10 are likely allow a free vote on the issue.
Sir Keir has decided to accelerate the process after Labour dominated the results of the annual Private Members Bill ballot for MPs to put forward their own legislation
But the debate is likely to spark strong emotions across all parties, while campaigners have urged lawmakers to exercise caution when taking the bill forward.
Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, said the Bills introduction was clearly disappointing news.
He said: I would strongly urge the Government to focus on fixing our broken palliative care system that sees up to one in four Brits who would benefit from this type of care being unable to access it, rather than discussing again this dangerous and ideological policy.
