Letter to Editor: On the assisted dying bill
Politics / Tue 10th Jun 2025 at 07:41am
Dear Editor
Kim Leadbeater has produced a briefing [1] claiming that the Committee Stage of her Bill to legalise assisted suicide has been a success, strengthening the safeguards and ensuring that people are “protected at each stage” of the process [2].
Her briefing applauds the acceptance of multiple amendments, obscuring the reality that a significant number of key safeguarding amendments were resoundingly rejected by the committee, dominated as it was by strong supporters of assisted suicide [2].
A briefing [2] has been prepared which shows that, far from improving her Bill, it has now been made even more dangerous.
I encourage readers to look at this second document for full details. In the meantime, the points include:
* The Bill committee rejected multiple amendments which would have made it safer.
* The committee disregarded recommendations for how to truly protect the vulnerable from abuse and coercion (e.g., someone encouraging a vulnerable person to participate in assisted dying).
* Disabled people are already struggling to access support with day-to-day living. This will only be exacerbated by the Bill, which would make it feel like assisted suicide was their only option.
* Shockingly, the committee rejected an amendment requiring the co-ordinating doctor to establish that the patient is not requesting assisted suicide because their judgment is ‘impaired’ by a mental illness or other condition.
These, and many other problems with the Bill, are analysed fully in [2].
If, like me, you are concerned about this Bill, please contact your MP as a matter of urgency to urge them to vote against the Bill. The vote is expected to take place on Friday, 20th June, so there is little time left.
If our Harlow MP is reading this, I implore him to read [2], understand how badly flawed this Bill is, and cast his vote against.
Please God, this Bill won’t become law.
Yours sincerely
Matthew Gillman
References
[1] https://christianconcern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Leadbeater-Briefing-002.pdf. Accessed 6th June 2025.
[2] https://christianconcern.com/resource/terminally-ill-adults-end-of-life-bill-rebuttal-briefing/. Accessed 6th June 2025
lostinthemiddle
2025-06-10 12:23:48
While I respect your stance on this, for me I think if someone chooses to end their own life, humanely and within the parameters of the bill then they should be given the chance to do so. Ultimately, it is about choice. If someone wants to do that, currently they can't and in their eyes have to suffer. If this bill is passed, then they get the opportunity to do that. Equally, someone who doesn't believe in ending life early can choose not to. This bill isn't saying let's kill anyone who's likely to die within six months or is disabled etc, it's giving a person the choice and it's up to them what to do. I think is much more sensible than a state controlled say on you can only die when your body fails...even if you're in absolute agony. Let the person decide for themselves...
Seamus
2025-06-10 14:12:01
Like so many against this bill/freedom of choice, they miss the key point. This is not a bill to help people die, these people are already dying through a terminal illness. The bill is about an individuals free choice to decide wether they die peacefully or in intense agony and pain. It also puzzles me just how many objectors are those of faith's where death is seen as the first step to Heaven/Jannah/Afterlife/etc. Remember, whatever your choice of faith, those gods gave humanity free will and that, is all that is being asked for those already dying.
Matthew Gillman
2025-06-10 19:57:13
Seamus and lostinthemiddle. Thank you for your comments. I think, regardless of one's views on assisted dying, there have been some concerning issues with this Bill. For example, I understand many MPs who voted in favour last time did so because a judge would have to sign off an assisted death; this provision has now been removed. The committee which met to consider the Bill repeatedly voted against amendments which would have made it safer, e.g., around coercion concerns and people struggling with mental illness. But the reference [2] at the end of my letter goes into more details. Do please read it if you can. Thank you.
Mark Lavender
2025-06-11 09:41:33
I am no follower of faith which appears difficult for those who believe my stance on this matter is counterintuitive. Social care for very ill people should be covered properly by the state, otherwise it will not be long before interested parties are calling to see when you are seeking assisted dying. The nudge effect is very tempting but is harassment. Welfare and NHS seems to be plugged more and more by charitable and faith organisations. A complete rethink/reset on priorities is required as the population ages.
Adrienne
2025-06-12 18:47:24
That's one way not to have to pay pensions.It is a sticky wicket.Remimfs me of that film Logan's run
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