Beloved actress and national treasure Dame Joanna Lumley has voiced her strong support for assisted dying, urging lawmakers to reconsider UK legislation on the matter. The Absolutely Fabulous star, known for her advocacy work, described the current laws as "cruel" and called for a more compassionate approach to end-of-life care.
A Personal Plea for Change
Speaking candidly, Dame Joanna argued that individuals suffering from terminal illnesses should have the legal right to choose when and how they die. "People deserve dignity in their final moments," she stated, emphasising that prolonged suffering benefits no one.
The Current Legal Landscape
Under present UK law, assisting someone to end their life remains a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. This has led to many Britons travelling abroad to countries like Switzerland, where assisted dying is legal, to end their lives on their own terms.
Celebrity Support Grows
Dame Joanna joins a growing list of high-profile figures advocating for legislative change. Her intervention comes as parliament prepares to revisit the controversial issue, with several MPs indicating they would support a private member's bill on assisted dying.
The debate continues to divide opinion, with religious groups and some medical professionals maintaining strong opposition to any change in the law. However, recent polls suggest public opinion increasingly favours legalisation under strict safeguards.
