British Legislators Take First Step Toward Assisted Dying

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

LONDON (Worthy News) – British legislators have agreed to legalize assisted dying for some terminally ill people, despite concerns the law could be misused to pressure patients deemed ‘unfit’ to live longer.

After five hours of debate in the House of Commons, they voted by 330 to 275 to support the plan that would allow doctors to help patients in England and Wales with less than six months to live to end their lives.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among those voting for the bill, giving terminally ill adults “the right” to die once the request has been signed off by two doctors and a high court judge.

Opponents of the historic bill warned patients in England could be subject to coercion and raised alarm about the level of scrutiny the law received.

Experts say the change is unlikely to occur for three years as the legislation must pass several more hurdles in parliament and will not be brought before legislators again until April.

It must also go through the House of Lords. If it becomes law, there will be a two-year implementation period.

BROAD EMOTIONAL DEBATE

Assisted dying is legal in a handful of European countries, Canada, New Zealand, and in 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

However, the decision in Westminster followed weeks of often emotional public debate in Britain on life and death, which commentators said “transcended political affiliations.”

Churches and faith groups across Britain condemned a bill “to allow physician-assisted suicide” and tried to block its November 29 approval by parliamentarians.

“The vote will be very close — many members of Parliament, elected only recently, are having to decide on a life-or-death ethical issue they haven’t considered before,” explained Timothy Dieppe, head of public policy for the advocacy group Christian Concern.

“If they vote against this bill, it will send a powerful signal worldwide that assisted suicide isn’t inevitable and doesn’t constitute progress.”

English, Welsh, and Scottish bishops’ urged opposition to the “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill,” tabled by Kim Leadbeater from the governing Labour Party, as it would allow life-ending medical help for terminally ill adults over age 18.

‘DUTY TO DIE’

They insist that a change in law will turn a “right to die” into people thinking they have a “duty to die.”

That sentiment was reflected in an open letter signed by the Bishop of London, the Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, and the Chief Rabbi.

They wrote that they are “deeply concerned about the impact the Bill would have on the most vulnerable, opening up the possibility of life-threatening abuse and coercion.”

Yet Friday’s vote prepared for a shift that some have compared to Britain’s legalization of abortion in 1967 and the abolition of the death penalty in 1969.

Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

More Worthy News

Israel Eliminates Hezbollah, IRGC Quds Force Operative in Beirut Strike
Israel Eliminates Hezbollah, IRGC Quds Force Operative in Beirut Strike
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

In a joint statement, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad confirmed an overnight airstrike in Beirut killed a Hezbollah and Iranian IRGC Quds Force operative who coordinated with Hamas to carry out an imminent attack on Israeli civilians. This marks Israel’s second strike in Beirut in four days.

Turkish Forces Taking Over Syria Airbase Worrying Israel
Turkish Forces Taking Over Syria Airbase Worrying Israel
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Turkey’s military rushed to take over Syria’s Tiyas air base, also known as T4, to deter Israeli strikes in Syria, well-informed Arabic sources confirmed Tuesday.

Republicans Pad U.S. House Majority With Two Florida Special Election Wins
Republicans Pad U.S. House Majority With Two Florida Special Election Wins
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Republicans padded their slim U.S. House majority Tuesday after winning two Florida special elections to replace a pair of members who resigned their seats.

China’s Military Surrounds Taiwan After Trump Comments (Worthy News Focus)
China’s Military Surrounds Taiwan After Trump Comments (Worthy News Focus)
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

China staged massive war games near Taiwan Tuesday, just weeks after U.S. President Donald J. Trump declined to commit military support for the territory.

Pipeline Fireball In Malaysia Injures Many (Video)
Pipeline Fireball In Malaysia Injures Many (Video)
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

At least 145 people were injured, and many rushed to hospitals after a massive fire broke out at a natural gas pipeline near Malaysia’s largest city officials confirmed.

Indonesia Christians Facing Muslim Opposition
Indonesia Christians Facing Muslim Opposition
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Devoted Christians in Indonesia say several churches are facing growing opposition in the mainly Muslim nation as local leaders and residents are cracking down on Christian gatherings in at least three regions.

India Christians Fear Execution For Conversion
India Christians Fear Execution For Conversion
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Christians have appealed for prayers after the chief minister of India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh announced plans to impose the death penalty on those convicted “of forced or fraudulent religious conversions.”