British public have serious doubts over assisted suicide

Assisted suicide has too many complications to be implemented safely, the British public say according to a major new poll.

Conducted by Whitestone Insight for the think tank Living and Dying Well, the poll of more than 2,000 British adults comes ahead of a fresh attempt by Lord Falconer to legalise assisted suicide.

The key headlines are as follows:

• Seven in 10 said that assisted suicide in countries like Canada has gone too far.
• Young people reject assisted suicide more than any other age group. Fewer than half of 18-24 year olds support legalising assisted suicide.
• A strong majority of 56% voiced fears that legalising assisted suicide would lead to a culture where suicide becomes more normalized than today.
• 43% thought that because of NHS budget pressures, legalising assisted suicide would mean some healthcare professionals would put pressure on some patients to choose an assisted suicide.

The poll offers a strong counter to comments made by politicians and campaigners which give the impression the public is overwhelmingly in favour of law change.

Support for assisted suicide actually changes when people are confronted with evidence from countries where it is legal.

In Canada, where assisted suicide was first legalised in 2016, it took a mere five years for the law to be expanded and key safeguards to be removed.

Baroness Tani Grey-Thompson, DBE, chair of Living and Dying Well said: “This nationally representative poll conducted under British Polling Council guidelines gives a very different snapshot of ordinary peoples’ attitudes towards assisted suicide than the glossy picture presented by pro-AS organisations. It shows that, at best, people are ambivalent about the prospect. And the survey shows that the more people know about the issue, the more likely they are to reject this legislation.”

Following the King's Speech, the private members' bill ballot took place in the House of Lords.

Coming in second was Lord Falconer with an assisted suicide bill. It is fifth time he has attempted to change the law on this issue.

A second reading debate is expected in September. This will be a chance for all Peers to engage with the general principles of the proposed legislation.

When the ballot result landed, in response, CARE's CEO Ross Hendry said:

"The evidence of assisted suicide’s dangers is undeniable and has not changed since past debates at Westminster. If anything, it has grown, given a litany of disturbing reports from other countries.

“No ‘safeguard’ could ever rule out mistakes, abuses, and expansion of legislation beyond that which is initially agreed. When injustices do occur, marginalised groups in society are worst affected.

“It's also clear that the ‘right to die’ would become a ‘duty to die’ for those who feel they are a burden, or who lack the support they need. We’d urge parliamentarians to stand up for the vulnerable and say no.”

Please pray that at the second reading debate, a good number of Peers show up to make the case against the bill. Pray it will not succeed in becoming law.