Liberal Democrats pledge to make time for assisted dying in manifesto commitment
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:
“We commend the Liberal Democrats for listening to the views of voters up and down the country, three quarters of whom want to see law change on assisted dying. This follows the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition each promising to make parliamentary time available to debate assisted dying, with Caroline Lucas announcing a Green Party manifesto pledge to introduce an assisted dying law during a Westminster Hall debate. “Many dying people will be casting their final vote in this election. They will be asking their future MPs to give them the choice they are calling out for. All eyes are now on candidates of all parties, to see if they will commit to standing on the right side of history or defend a law that is dangerous, uncompassionate and more than sixty years out of date.” This comes at a critical moment for the campaign to legalise assisted dying in the UK, with Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man already debating how to implement services for their citizens, and growing cross-party appetite for a full and fair debate on how Westminster can bring similar legislation to England and Wales. In February, a 14-month inquiry by cross-party MPs confirmed that such laws already work safely in many countries around the world, with tight safeguards that benefit and protect dying people, and improve end-of-life care as a whole. In March this year, the largest and most in-depth UK-wide survey of public opinion on assisted dying revealed that three quarters of the public back law change on assisted dying, consistent across ages, backgrounds and voting intentions, and with majority support in every parliamentary constituency across Great Britain.*Ends*
For more information or interview requests, please email Molly Pike, Senior Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07855209809