UK: Suicide Bill Killed – Only to Rise Again?
by Ann Farmer

UK Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill has died, after being subjected to countless amendments in the House of Lords.

Supporters insist it was killed off by unelected, unrepresentative peers, intent on obstructing the public’s wishes and denying the terminally ill ‘choice’ at the end of life.

But opponents maintain that the number of amendments demonstrate the unfitness of the Bill to be passed into law, omitting as it did safeguards against the coercion of vulnerable patients by uncaring medical professionals and/or unscrupulous families.

UK Assisted Suicide Bill Killed – But It Will Be Back

Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill has fallen. But the debate is far from over. Here’s why its defeat may have saved countless vulnerable lives – and why supporters are already planning to bring it back.

The UK Labour MP’s bill died after being subjected to countless amendments in the House of Lords. Supporters insist it was killed off by unelected, unrepresentative peers intent on obstructing the public’s wishes and denying the terminally ill “choice” at the end of life.

But opponents maintain that the sheer number of amendments demonstrates the unfitness of the bill to be passed into law. It omitted safeguards against the coercion of vulnerable patients by uncaring medical professionals and unscrupulous families.

---

Why the Vulnerable Had Most to Fear

There is really no need to speculate about the possible risks of legalising assisted suicide. We have far too many examples already playing out around the world.

In Canada, a man was granted medical assistance in dying – assisted suicide – for being partially sighted.

In the United States, a brain-dead man’s organs were plundered for transplant.

In Australia, a terrified elderly woman was euthanised in a care home – or, more accurately, a “don’t care” home.

In Switzerland, people without medical problems are helped to die, including a British mother who was grieving her dead son.

And if anyone should notice the supreme irony of creating yet more bereaved friends and families by helping out of life those who are suffering from bereavement, there is always Dr Philip Nitschke – “Dr Death” – with his newly unveiled double suicide pod. Couples can “go together,” ensuring that at least one family member is spared the agony of bereavement.

For some reason, such cases rarely make the news in the UK.

---

The Truth They Don’t Want You to Hear

Spectator journalist Matthew Parris has helpfully blurted out the truth. He suggested that assisted suicide would save taxpayers’ money – that the sick and disabled should realise that they are indeed burdensome.

The mainstream media have focused on those disappointed by the fall of Leadbeater’s bill. But they have also mentioned that disability groups and individuals are feeling overwhelming relief.

One commenter shared that feeling, having lived in fear ever since Leadbeater first put forward her bill – fear that it would succeed where so many others have failed. And they dared not hope that, as with other bad legislation, its disastrous impact would lead to a reversal, because that has not happened in other jurisdictions where such laws have been passed.

---

When Safeguards Fail: Lessons From Abroad

In Canada, where assisted suicide was legalised in 2016 with “strict safeguards,” they are now preparing to extend this “benefit” to the mentally unstable.

In Spain, a rape victim was allowed assisted dying.

In the Netherlands, it is being extended to children. And bizarrely, assisted suicide can be provided to prevent “ordinary” suicide.

Assisted dying advocates in the UK are angry that the House of Lords has dashed their hopes. But peers have been merely doing their job in exposing the bill’s dangers. Given that it failed to protect the vulnerable from the expectation that they should want to kill themselves – and already the reaction of some to the plight of the disabled is “If I were like that, I would want to kill myself” – we should not be angry but grateful.

A similar bill going through the Manx Parliament is still waiting for Royal Assent, held up because of questions about safety.

---

Public Opinion May Be Turning

Advocates insist that assisted dying is popular with the general public. But although in the past this was true – no doubt because people seldom hear about the disastrous outcomes of similar legislation elsewhere – things are changing. Popular opinion is going in the opposite direction.

Apparently, a petition for a referendum launched on the government’s website has garnered less than 50 votes of the 10,000 needed to warrant a government response.

But even without such detailed information, it should be obvious that there is no safe way to self-poison. At that point, the wonderful idea of “de-lifeing” oneself at a time of one’s own choosing falls victim to terrible reality. Medical assistance must be made available to ensure that people “successfully” kill themselves. If anything goes wrong – if the poison fails to kill them – the role of medical professionals is not to save life, but to stand and stare.

---

A Warning for the Future

We can only thank God that the Assisted Dying Bill has been killed off. But Ms Leadbeater has already made it clear that she will seek to resurrect it at the earliest opportunity.

“The Lord giveth,” but in the case of suicide, the Lord does not “take away.” Man takes God’s prerogative upon himself.

There can be no happy ending for suicides, and no peace of mind for all those put at risk by such legislation. The price of liberty has always been eternal vigilance. And so, in these troubled times, is the price of life.

As one commenter rightly said: “Jesus said ‘I have come that you may have life and life abundant’ – not death at the hands of barbaric people.”