In a significant week for Westminster, two of Britain's most prominent female figures have made headlines for very different reasons. Broadcasting icon Dame Esther Rantzen has publicly endorsed a new bill on assisted dying, while former Prime Minister Dame Theresa May has formally taken her seat in the House of Lords.
Dame Esther, the 83-year-old founder of Childline who is currently receiving treatment for stage four lung cancer, has become a powerful advocate for changing the UK's laws on end-of-life choices. She revealed she has joined the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Switzerland, stating the current UK law needs "reform and compassion".
The Assisted Dying Bill
The proposed legislation, which is set to be debated in the House of Lords, would allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults the option of an assisted death. This would be subject to strict safeguards, including approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.
Dame Esther emphasised that this is about choice for those facing a terminal diagnosis, saying: "I would be enormously relieved if the bill was passed. It would mean that I could die on my own terms."
Theresa May's New Role
In a separate development, former Conservative leader Theresa May was introduced to the House of Lords, becoming Baroness May of Maidenhead. The ceremony, known as the introduction of a new peer, saw the ex-PM take the oath and sign the solemn affirmation, surrounded by supporters.
Her appointment to the upper chamber marks a new chapter in her political career, following her tumultuous tenure as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2019, dominated by Brexit negotiations.
A Growing National Debate
The convergence of these two events has thrust the issue of assisted dying back into the national spotlight. Polling consistently shows strong public support for legalising assisted dying for terminally ill people, but the subject remains deeply divisive among parliamentarians.
As Baroness May takes her seat on the red benches, she and her fellow peers will soon be tasked with debating this profoundly ethical and personal legislation, championed by one of the nation's most beloved figures.
