During an emotional debate in the House of Lords, Theresa May called for the assisted dying Bill to be scrapped, expressing concerns that it could normalize suicide. The former Tory Prime Minister, now known as Baroness May of Maidenhead, warned that the legislation could lead to individuals feeling pressured to end their lives and could potentially be used to conceal errors in hospitals.
Supporters of the proposed law, which aims to grant terminally ill individuals with less than six months to live the option to end their lives, have appealed to peers not to obstruct its progress. Dame Esther Rantzen, advocating for the bill, shared her desire to bid farewell to her family on her own terms.
The House of Lords is currently deliberating the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, previously endorsed by MPs. Labour’s Lord Charlie Falconer initiated the debate, criticizing the existing law for causing undue suffering and lacking compassion and safeguards.
Baroness May argued against the bill, asserting that it promotes assisted suicide rather than assisted dying. She raised concerns about potential coercion and societal implications, emphasizing the need for stringent safeguards to prevent abuse.
Opposing views within the House were evident as peers debated the contentious issue. Lord Falconer emphasized the need for compassion and choice in end-of-life care, highlighting that only a small percentage of deaths would involve assisted dying if the law were to change.
Tory peer Lord Michael Forsyth, despite his previous opposition to assisted dying, recounted a poignant conversation with his terminally ill father, leading him to support the bill. The proposed legislation would permit terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with a life expectancy of under six months, to seek an assisted death following approval from medical professionals and a panel of experts.
Individuals considering assisted dying can contact the Samaritans for emotional support. The ongoing debate underscores the complexity and sensitivity surrounding end-of-life decisions and the importance of robust safeguards in any legislative framework.