Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for a change in the law on assisted dying, supporting a free vote for MPs on the issue. Speaking during a visit to Estonia, Starmer acknowledged the 'divided and strong views' on the matter but said he personally believed there were grounds for reform.
The debate has been reignited by Dame Esther Rantzen, the ChildLine founder and broadcaster, who revealed this week that she has joined the Swiss organisation Dignitas after her lung cancer reached stage four. Rantzen urged parliament to hold another free vote, stating it was 'important that the law catches up with what the country wants'.
Assisted suicide is currently banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, carrying a maximum 14-year prison sentence. In Scotland, there is no specific offence, but euthanasia can be prosecuted as murder or culpable homicide. The last Commons vote on the issue in 2015 saw a bill to legalise the practice under strict controls defeated by 330 votes to 118.
Former Home Office minister Kit Malthouse, who co-chairs the all-party parliamentary group on choice at the end of life, said sentiment in parliament had 'moved significantly' since 2015, suggesting a majority may now be possible. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins described the issue as a 'matter of conscience' but declined to indicate whether she thought another vote was timely.
Starmer, who as director of public prosecutions oversaw the decision not to prosecute the parents of Daniel James—a paralysed rugby player who died in a Swiss clinic in 2008—said a free vote remained appropriate. Labour frontbencher Darren Jones added that there was 'clearly a demand from the public' for debate on changing the law.
