A a private members’ bill to legalise assisted suicide is set to be introduced to the House of Commons today, 16 October, by backbench Labour MP Kim Leadbeater.
At the time of writing, the details of the proposed legislation had not been finalised, but she said her proposals would allow those deemed to be terminally ill to receive help to kill themselves.
Although it is not formally a government bill, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has paved the way for it by giving a commitment to allow Parliamentary time for such legislation to be passed.
The plans have been called ‘dangerous’ and ‘toxic’ by disability campaigners who say it will put pressure on the vulnerable to end their lives and reduce commitment to proper palliative care.
