- Starmer supports assisted dying
- Dame Esther’s case rekindles debate
- Mel Stride and Michael Gove express willingness
The Labour leader supports a free vote on the issue following Dame Esther Rantzen’s declaration that she had joined Dignitas, reigniting the debate.
According to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, “grounds exist for changing the law” regarding assisted dying.
This week saw a resurgence of the debate following Dame Esther Rantzen’s admission that she was contemplating suicide if her lung cancer treatment failed to produce an improvement.
The broadcaster has enrolled at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, which provides assisted suicide services; however, her family members may face legal repercussions if they accompany her to the facility.
Dame Esther stated that “the law must catch up with what the nation desires.
Offenders in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland face a potential 14-year prison sentence for strictly prohibited assisted suicide.
Although not classified as a distinct criminal offence in Scotland, providing assistance in the cause of death can subject an individual to charges including homicide.
Starmer: A free vote “appears suitable.”
In 2015, in support of legislation permitting assisted dying, Sir Keir cast a vote in the House of Commons in support of a private member’s bill introduced by Labour MP Rob Marris.
A modification to the legislation was strongly opposed by members by a margin of 330 votes to 118, as they were granted a free vote on the matter without any influence from their political parties.
Sir Keir stated that although there are “obviously strong views on both sides, which I respect,” the free vote and private member’s bill proposed by another individual “seems appropriate.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride and Housing Secretary Michael Gove have both expressed their willingness to participate in a new parliamentary debate on the matter.
The official spokesman for the prime minister stated that the government’s stance has not altered, so the matter “remains a conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than government policy” and for which parliament retains jurisdiction.
