Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins has given her backing to a landmark bill that would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales, in what she called a “compassionate and humane step” towards offering people choice at the end of life.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, also known as the assisted dying bill, passed its third reading in the House of Commons today (Thursday 20 June) by a slim majority of 23 votes. It will now move to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
If the bill becomes law, it would mark a historic change to end-of-life care in the UK, aligning it with countries such as Australia, Canada and parts of the United States where assisted dying is already legal under controlled conditions.
Polling by YouGov released yesterday showed strong public support for a law change, with 75 per cent backing assisted dying in principle and 73 per cent supporting the bill as it stands.
Speaking during the debate, Ms Hopkins said she supported the bill “because at its very heart are terminally ill adults: people who are dying; people who have less than six months to live; people who have tried to stay alive, to beat a terrible disease with expert medical treatment, but to no avail”.
In an poignant contribution, she reflected on the realities of death faced by many across the country.
“I am sure that most of us think about and desire a peaceful, pain-free death where we slip off in our sleep at a ripe old age, having lived a good life, but the reality is that all of us and all our citizens — those for whom we legislate in this place — could face a painful and undignified death,” she told MPs.
The bill, introduced by Kim Leadbeater MP and co-sponsored by Ms Hopkins, would allow adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live to request medical assistance to end their lives, under strict safeguards. These include mandatory medical and psychiatric assessments, judicial oversight, and provisions to protect workers who do not wish to participate on grounds of conscience.
Ms Hopkins highlighted the extensive scrutiny the bill has undergone. “I am pleased that it has had more scrutiny, challenge and debate than almost any other piece of legislation—over 100 hours, in fact,” she said.
She also noted how amendments proposed by both supporters and critics had strengthened the final version, and “have led to a better Bill.” She added: “The Bill will provide for one of the tightest, safest assisted dying laws in the world.”
She thanked her constituents in Luton South for sharing their views, including those who opposed her stance.
“Good democracy and the right to disagree respectfully is hugely important,” she said.
Ms Hopkins acknowledged the difficult experiences many families face when a loved one is dying, saying: “Some [stories] brutal, painful and traumatic — a stark reminder that the status quo is simply unacceptable.
“Others have shared experiences with loved ones who, in other jurisdictions, such as Australia, were able to have a peaceful death, surrounded by loved ones and at a time of their choosing.”
Hopkins ended her speech with a firm call to action saying: “Although not everyone would want to choose an assisted death, I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to choose one if they so wish.”
