What happened with the recent debate and vote on the Assisted Dying Bill?
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (often referred to as the Assisted Dying Bill) has passed its second reading in the House of Lords on 29th November 2024, and has now been sent to a Public Bill Committee for further scrutiny. Euthanasia is rapidly moving closer to becoming legal in the UK, but it is vitally important to note that nothing is yet inscribed in law and there is an important chance for your voice to be heard on this matter.
You can see the current stage of the Bill here, and track the upcoming stages before it will become law:
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3774
Why is DSRF UK expressing concern that the Bill is moving to the next stage after MPs have voted?
DSRF UK has a number of concerns about the Bill, which are echoed by many other organisations working with people who have intellectual disabilities. An especially grave concern has been flagged about issues of consent that will likely unfold if this Bill becomes law. The Royal College of Psychiatrists have highlighted these issues in their statement:
We cannot afford to let these concerns (and other issues mentioned in our recent blog) become minimised. It is important to speak up for our community and for those who are likely to have less of a voice in the decision making process.
How to find out which way your MP voted and contact them with concerns
The public results of the vote and the position taken by MPs is here:
Please do reach out to your MP, especially if they voted in favour of this Bill. Your concerns and evidence will help inform them: they are elected to represent the issues that matter to you.
If your MP voted against the Bill, please consider writing to thank them for taking these serious concerns into account.
You can find your MP here on the UK Parliament’s MP Finder tool:
https://members.parliament.uk/