Some Reflections on the Assisted Dying Bill

Last week, on Black Friday, a dark shadow was cast over Westminster as the UK Parliament voted to advance Kim Leadbeater MP’s hastily presented Assisted Dying Bill.

I appreciate that for so many who are championing this bill, their motives are deeply personal and heartfelt. They’ve endured the anguish of watching loved ones suffer or have grappled with physical pain themselves. To them, helping someone end their life, if it is their wish, seems the most loving thing to do.

Personally, having watched my father-in-law suffer with vascular dementia these last years, I have seen first-hand the heart-wrenching reality of a life impacted pretty much every second of the day by a cruel and unrelenting illness. Rod has defied medical expectations, holding on for years longer than the doctors predicted. But it is a slow and painful journey, and I can empathise with those who support this bill, not wanting their loved ones to endure unnecessary suffering.

But as compassionate as these sentiments may appear on one level, this bill - which fundamentally seeks to legalise assisted suicide - poses significant risks to our society’s moral foundations, including how we view death, illness, and disability. True compassion surely means caring for those in their final moments and affirming their worth, no matter how frail they may seem.

A Slippery Slope

The Assisted Dying Bill is fraught with dangers. History shows how safeguards and assurances initially promised in this kind of legislation can erode over time. When the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967, it was meant as a measure for extreme cases, yet today it has expanded far beyond its original intent, essentially resulting in abortion on demand - despite the commitments of politicians and campaigners at the time.

The Assisted Dying Bill risks following a similar trajectory - shifting from something intended to be narrowly applied, to something far more permissive. In places like Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and Oregon where assisted dying or euthanasia is now legal, stories abound demonstrating how what started as tightly controlled laws has now expanded in alarming ways within a relatively short time.

Another big problem is that legalising assisted suicide could subtly encourage the vulnerable - especially the elderly, the disabled, and the terminally ill - to view their lives as a burden. When society begins to view assisted suicide as a legitimate option on the table, those who perceive their lives are a strain to others may feel quietly compelled to see it as the ‘right’ thing to do, even if they desire to live. For many facing illness or disability, the insidious thought of easing pressure on their families - whether financial, emotional, or the time and effort of care - may become a powerful, even coercive motivation.

This creates a very dangerous environment where the ‘right to die’ could quickly degenerate into a perceived ‘duty to die’. Safeguards will never be able to fully protect against coercion or abuse, nor can they guarantee that such decisions to choose death over life will be made free of external influence or emotional pressure.

Not Over Yet

Despite such concerns, 330 MPs voted in favour of the bill last Friday, with 275 MPs opposing it. However, the Assisted Dying Bill is not yet law. Its passage to royal assent depends on another reading and further approval in the House of Commons, followed by scrutiny in the House of Lords. This is a critical moment to ensure our voices are heard. We must remain courageous, winsome, and persuasive, ensuring that our concerns about present safeguards, practical shortcomings, and the far-reaching implications are clearly presented and understood.

If you live in the UK, consider writing (again) to your MP to express your concerns and disappointment, or to thank them if they opposed the bill (see how they voted here). Highlight the negative examples from other countries and stress the need to protect the vulnerable. Let’s pray that more MPs will reconsider and vote against the bill at the third reading.

Let’s also be clear: despite the euphemisms such as ‘dignity in dying’ and ‘assisted dying’, this is ‘assisted suicide’ - the deliberate act of ending a life prematurely by providing lethal medication. It is not about letting a disease take its natural course or opting against further medical treatment.

The Real Issue

What much of the debate about the Assisted Dying Bill exposes is the lack of proper resources and training for end-of-life care. Many people fear suffering because they don’t receive the support they need. Instead of funding assisted suicide, we should be investing in palliative care and hospices, which remain woefully underfunded.

Good palliative care can ease suffering. It affirms dignity and helps people face death with managed pain and genuine emotional support. It is really concerning that we are moving towards assisted dying on the NHS while failing to prioritise comprehensive care for the dying.

Supporting life means more than medical treatment; it means providing emotional and compassionate care that respects the sanctity of life. Instead of making dangerous laws, we should focus on ensuring every terminally ill person has access to excellent care. This is surely the best way to assist those who are dying.

I’ve witnessed this truth time and again in 25+ years of pastoral ministry, where I’ve watched people with terminal illnesses discover joy and meaning even in the midst of suffering. Facing death with faith and honesty can bring peace and a wonderful sense of release. The Bible teaches that death for a Christian - no matter how they die - is not a loss but a gain, a victory rather than a defeat. Even in the shadow of death, we can experience God’s presence and peace, knowing that a glorious future awaits us in heaven.

From Black Friday to Good Friday

The vote on Black Friday reminds me of another Friday - Good Friday - when Jesus chose to lay His life down on the cross. His sacrifice on our behalf reveals to us the sanctity of every human life. Even in suffering, God values each of us as precious and infinitely loved. This should inspire us to stand for life, to look to alleviate suffering without ending lives, and to make sure the vulnerable know their worth.

Proverbs 24:11-12 commands us, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”. This is the time to respond to this call - to advocate for life and stand firm in our commitment to uphold a compassionate, just society.