The Dangerous Path of the UK’s Assisted Dying Bills: Why We Must Act Now – A Critical Update and Call to Action

The debate over assisted dying in the United Kingdom has reached a critical juncture, with separate bills progressing in both the Westminster and Scottish parliaments. These legislative proposals, which aim to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, have sparked intense controversy due to their profound ethical, social, and legal implications. As someone deeply opposed to these bills, I urge readers to understand the serious concerns surrounding them and to appeal to their Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to reject this dangerous legislation. Below, I outline the current status of the bills, highlight the grave risks they pose, and explain why urgent action is needed to protect the vulnerable and uphold the sanctity of life.

Current Legislative Landscape and Status of the Assisted Dying Bills

Westminster: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

In November 2024, the House of Commons voted 330 to 275 in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its second reading in the House of Commons with a vote of 330–275, marking a significant step toward legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. Introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the bill would allow terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of six months or less to seek assistance in ending their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a three-person panel comprising a senior legal figure, a psychiatrist, and a social worker. The bill has moved to the committee stage, where a cross-party group of 23 MPs scrutinised the legislation and considered amendments. A notable amendment proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson aims to assess and improve palliative care services across the UK, addressing concerns that inadequate palliative care might pressure patients toward assisted death. It is set to return to the Commons on Friday 16th May, 2025, for further debate and potential amendments, with additional votes in both the Commons and the House of Lords required before it can become law.

Scotland: The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

In Scotland, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, proposed by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, passed its Stage 1 vote on Tuesday 13th May, 2025, with a vote of 70 to 56 after a five-hour debate, with one abstention. This is the third time such legislation has been considered in Holyrood. With MSPs approving the general principles of the bill. This bill similarly targets terminally ill adults, with eligibility criteria including a terminal diagnosis and a minimum age of 18 (raised from 16 following public backlash). The proposed law mandates that two doctors confirm that a person is terminally ill and mentally competent before allowing them to self-administer a lethal dose. It would also criminalise coercion into requesting assisted death. Though as research demonstrates, uncovering coercion is still an issue and there are not enough safeguards to prevent it. McArthur pledged to ensure strong safeguards in the bill. The bill now advances to Stage 2, where MSPs can propose amendments, followed by a final vote on the draft legislation. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, the lead committee, has been gathering evidence, with a Stage 1 report published on 30th April, 2025. The bill faces opposition from notable politicians, surprisingly including First Minister John Swinney and former First Ministers Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon, who expressed concerns about its impact on patient care and vulnerable individuals. Critics like Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy warned of the societal implications, arguing the bill presents risks and inadequate protections.

Serious Concerns and Criticisms Surrounding the Bills

Inadequate Safeguards and Risks to Vulnerable Groups

One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of robust safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly disabled people and those with mental health challenges. Critics, including Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, warn that the bills could pressure disabled or vulnerable people into feeling they are a burden, leading to coerced decisions to end their lives. A top lawyer has argued that the Westminster bill breaches the European Convention on Human Rights due to insufficient protections for disabled individuals. The absence of an appeal mechanism for concerned relatives or doctors further exacerbates these risks, with former judges describing this omission as an “extraordinary” failure.

The government’s own impact assessment highlights significant uncertainties, admitting it is “not possible” to fully estimate the bill’s impact due to Leadbeater’s failure to clarify how assisted suicide would be implemented. This lack of clarity is alarming, as MPs are being asked to vote on legislation without understanding its full implications. The equality impact assessment also raises concerns about disproportionate effects on protected groups, such as older people as well as those with disabilities, who may face societal pressures to choose death over life.

The Slippery Slope to Broader Euthanasia

Opponents fear that legalising assisted dying could lead to a slippery slope, where eligibility criteria are gradually expanded, as seen in countries like Canada and Belgium. In Canada, initial restrictions to terminally ill patients have loosened to include those with chronic illnesses or mental health conditions, raising fears of “inclusive” assisted suicide that could normalise euthanasia for marginalised groups. The Scottish bill’s original inclusion of 16-year-olds, only amended after public outcry, underscores the potential for overly broad interpretations of eligibility. Such expansions threaten to erode trust in healthcare systems and devalue the lives of those who are already marginalised.

Potential for Coercion and Abuse

There is apprehension that legalising assisted dying could lead to coercion, where individuals might feel pressured to end their lives due to perceived burdens on their families or the healthcare system. The Scottish bill includes provisions to criminalise coercion, but opponents question the effectiveness of such safeguards in practice.

Strain on the NHS and Palliative Care

The bills also pose significant risks to the National Health Service (NHS) and palliative care systems. The impact assessment estimates that up to 3% of UK deaths—approximately 17,200 annually—could result from assisted suicide if the Westminster bill passes, a figure far higher than anticipated. This would place immense pressure on an already overstretched NHS, diverting resources from improving end-of-life care. Critics like Rachael Maskell MP argue that the focus should be on addressing the “broken palliative care system,” which leaves one in four Brits without adequate support, rather than rushing through assisted dying legislation. The moral hazard of suggesting assisted dying as a cost-saving measure for expensive treatments, as implied by some supporters, is deeply troubling.

Ethical and Moral Implications

From an ethical standpoint, the bills challenge the fundamental principle that the state should not facilitate the taking of life. Labour MP Diane Abbott, who voted against the Westminster bill, referenced the 1969 abolition of the death penalty, arguing that the state should not be responsible for ending lives. The Scottish Pro-Life and Pro-Family organization (SPUC) has expressed “deep concern” over the Scottish bill’s progression, warning that it risks “normalising state-sanctioned killing” and undermining the sanctity of life. These concerns resonate with many who see assisted dying as a moral horror that could dehumanise society’s most vulnerable. The moral debate surrounding assisted dying remains intense. Concerns have also been raised about the message such laws send to those struggling with illness or disability.

Why You Should Appeal to Your MP and MSP

The progression of these bills is not inevitable. Both the Westminster and Scottish bills face further scrutiny, with opportunities for MPs and MSPs to propose amendments or reject the legislation outright. However, public pressure is crucial to ensuring that parliamentarians prioritise the protection of life over misguided notions of autonomy. Here’s why you should act now:

Influence the Legislative Process: The Westminster bill’s next debate on Friday 16th May, 2025, and the Scottish bill’s Stage 2 amendments provide critical opportunities to strengthen safeguards or halt the bills. MPs and MSPs are more likely to respond to constituent concerns, especially given the free vote structure, where they are not bound by party lines.
Protect the Vulnerable: Your voice can highlight the risks to disabled, elderly, and mentally ill individuals, ensuring that parliamentarians understand the real-world consequences of these bills.
Demand Better Alternatives: By urging investment in palliative care, you can push for solutions that alleviate suffering without resorting to state-sanctioned death. Rachael Maskell’s call for a Commission on Palliative and End of Life Care, backed by 70.2% of the public, offers a viable alternative

How to Take Action

To oppose the assisted dying bills, contact your MP or MSP immediately. You can find their contact details via the UK Parliament website (https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP) or the Scottish Parliament website (https://www.parliament.scot/msps). Use the following steps, as outlined by resources below, to make your appeal effective:

Write a Personal Letter or Email to MPs and MSPs: Explain your opposition, citing concerns about inadequate safeguards, risks to vulnerable groups, and the need for better palliative care. Reference the government’s impact assessment and equality concerns to strengthen your case. https://righttolife.org.uk/asvote
Request a Meeting With MPs and MSPs: Ask to discuss the bill in person or virtually to convey the urgency of your concerns.

Ask your MP to vote no to assisted suicide (MY TEMPLATE)Download

Ask your MP to vote no to assisted suicide at Third Reading Download

MP Letter NDY Download

Engage in Public Discourse: Participate in community discussions, write opinion pieces, and use your voice to raise awareness
Engage on Social Media: Share your views on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok etc -tagging your representatives to amplify your message.
Support Advocacy Groups: Collaborate with organisations that align with the viewpoint opposing assisted dying to amplify collective voices. Organisations like SPUC, Not Dead Yet and Care Not Killing provide resources and campaigns to bolster opposition efforts.
Support Palliative Care Initiatives: Advocate for improved palliative care services as a compassionate alternative to assisted dying.
Write to Local Hospices: Express concerns about the bill’s impact on hospice funding and care, as it may pressure them to offer assisted dying, potentially affecting donations. Highlight ethical and financial risks to encourage their opposition.
Send a Postcard to you MP or MSP – https://www.notdeadyetuk.org/order-postcards

Conclusion

The assisted dying bills in Westminster and Scotland represent a dangerous shift toward state-sanctioned death, with inadequate safeguards, risks to vulnerable groups, and potential strain on the NHS. Kim Leadbeater is getting desperate in her constant push to urge MPs to back her assisted dying bill. We need to show them the public reject this bill. The moral and ethical implications of these proposals demand a robust response from those who value the sanctity of life. By appealing to your MP or MSP, you can help ensure that these bills are rejected in favour of compassionate alternatives like improved palliative care. Act now to protect the vulnerable and uphold the principles that define a just society.