Assisted Suicide
Assisted Suicide Vote Delayed by Three Weeks
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has delayed a crucial vote on her proposed Assisted Suicide Bill by three weeks, claiming it allows MP colleagues more time for further scrutiny.
Others have judged the move as further evidence of the chaotic process the Bill has been going through.
Third Reading was expected to take place on 25 April, a few days after MPs return from the Easter recess. This is when all MPs have the chance to vote on the Bill as amended by Committee and at Report Stage.
However, in a letter to MP colleagues yesterday, Ms Leadbeater claimed she was moving the time of the vote to the 16th of May to allow for further consideration.
I have always said it is more important to do this work properly than to do it quickly, which is why I ensured the committee had plenty of time to do its work and why I think it is now sensible to allow all MPs a few more weeks for their own consideration.
The proposed Assisted Suicide Bill passed Second Reading on 29 November last year by 330-275.
At the time, many MPs signalled they were only supporting the legislation because they wanted to see further scrutiny.
Since Committee Stage began, the Bill has been surrounded by criticism from multiple sources.
Ms Leadbeater also had to drop one of the key safeguards in the Bill - the role of High Court Judges to scrutinise each request - after the Ministry of Justice told her to leave it out.
As a result, some MPs who voted for the Bill in November have subsequently said they will now vote against.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also said he will not support the Bill at Third Reading.
Assisted Suicide would put pressure on the most vulnerable
If successful, the legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live the option of an assisted suicide.
But any 'right to die' - which represents a fundamental shift in medical practice - could easily become a duty to die.
Pressure would fall most on the frailest in our communities.
CARE advocates a better story which involves increased investment in palliative care services.
Palliative care is a holistic form of care that addresses the 'total pain' patients experience at the end of their lives.
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