Three-quarters of Brits want their MP to vote “yes” on assisted dying,
a survey has revealed.
The YouGov poll also found eight in 10 people would like the Government to debate the issue before the next election in 2024.
It comes as peers tonight debated whether Parliament should be given dedicated time to consider assisted dying laws.
If passed, Lord Forsyth’s amendment to the Health and Care Bill would require No10 to present a draft Assisted Dying Bill to Parliament within a year.
The former Conservative Scottish Secretary changed his mind on assisted dying after his father, dying of bladder cancer in 2020, criticised him for opposing previous Bills.
He and campaigners have been calling for a full Parliamentary debate on the topic, with a petition nearing 50,000 signatures.
A recent Private Member’s Bill, brought by Baroness Meacher to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill, passed second reading.
However, it is now feared it will not progress beyond Committee stage.
Campaigners believe it is unlikely enough time will be allocated to debate almost 200 tabled amendments.
Opponents of assisted dying believe it may lead to vulnerable people feeling pressure to end their lives early out of fear of being a care burden.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean said: “My amendment is absolutely not about the merits of the case for legalising assisted dying.
“It is about ensuring this Parliament is given the opportunity to properly debate this issue.”
In Scotland, an Assisted Dying Bill proposal has recently been the subject of a consultation.
Responses are being analysed before legislation is drafted and scrutinised by a Parliament Committee.
I wanted to end my sister's pain
A man who considered smothering his sister to spare her an agonising death is calling for the Government to properly debate assisted dying.
David Drew, 57, and Caroline had watched in horror as their mum Pat battled motor neurone disease before dying aged just 52.
So when Caroline was diagnosed with MND 34 years later, they knew what was coming.
David revealed the toll it took watching his sister, 59, slip away in 2012. She lost her speech, suffered drastic weight loss, became immobile and was moved to a hospice.
Writing for the Mirror, David, of Bromley, Kent, said: “I visited her shortly before she died.
“As I sat by her bed I seriously considered putting a pillow over her face to end her agony.
“But if I’d done so, I could have been charged with murder. If this country had a safe assisted dying law, she could have gone at a time of her choosing.”
Supporting Lord Forsyth’s amendment, David said: “Dignity in Dying has launched a petition calling on the Government to make time to debate this crucial human rights issue.
“I urge you to sign the petition so no terminally ill person has to face a death like my mother and sister. They deserved better.”
You can sign the petition here.
