Latest news with #EstherRantzen
Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Another month may kill assisted dying bill
Twenty years ago, parliament took its time debating whether foxes could be hunted with hounds, rather than shot as vermin or left alone to savage rabbits and nesting birds. Tony Blair's Hunting Act — a manifesto pledge — followed a million-quid donation from animal rights campaigners, something that his wingman, Lord Mandelson, lately admitted in The Times's How to Win an Election podcast was 'pretty transactional'. Yet it got a lot of nuanced debate and 700 hours of Westminster time. So far, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has not reached double figures in parliamentary hours. It was put forward not by the prime minister — although, in giving it time, he said he was 'pleased to keep a promise to Esther Rantzen'
Glasgow Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
MPs vote in favour of assisted dying opt-out for all healthcare workers
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was debated for almost five hours on Friday. It was the first time the proposed legislation had returned to the Commons since a historic yes vote in November saw a majority of MPs support the principle of assisted dying. MPs voted for one new clause to be added to the Bill, which will ensure 'no person', including any medical professional, is obliged to take part in assisted dying. Kim Leadbeater opened the debate on her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) Doctors already had an opt-out but the new clause extends that to anyone, including pharmacists and social care workers. The at-times emotional debate saw supporters of changing the law argue the Bill has returned with strengthened safeguards after being amended in committee earlier this year. But opponents have complained the Bill does not have enough protections and has been rushed through, with the criticism coming days after two royal medical colleges voiced their doubts on the legislation in its current form. Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill and is one of the most high-profile backers of the Bill, appealed for MPs to vote for what she termed a 'crucial reform'. In a letter to MPs on the eve of Friday's debate, she urged them to change the law 'as so many other countries have, not for me and for those like me who are running rapidly out of time, but for future generations to have the right if necessary, not to shorten their lives, to shorten their deaths'. She suggested some MPs opposed to the Bill have 'undeclared personal religious beliefs which mean no precautions would satisfy them'. This drew criticism in the Commons from Labour's Jess Asato who branded the Childline founder's comments 'distasteful and disrespectful'. An effort by Conservative MP Rebecca Paul preventing employees from providing assisted dying, while working for an employer which has chosen not to take part in the process, was rejected. Health minister Stephen Kinnock said that amendment might leave workers with 'conflicting obligations' and could make the service more difficult to access 'if employers can prevent their entire workforce from participating in the provision of assisted dying'. The Government is neutral on the Bill and any votes MPs make are according to their own conscience rather than along party lines. Campaigners opposed to the assisted dying legislation demonstrate outside the Palace of Westminster in London, ahead of the Bill's report stage (Rosie Shead/PA) In its current form the Bill, which applies only to England and Wales, would mean terminally ill adults with only six months left to live could apply for assistance to end their lives, with approval needed from two doctors and the expert panel. Bringing her Bill back to Parliament, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said assisted dying must be legalised to avoid terminally ill people acting out of desperation or making 'traumatic' trips to Switzerland. Following the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) statement this week on its 'serious concerns' including on numbers of psychiatrists available to sit on panels assessing a terminally ill person's application, Ms Leadbeater told MPs said she 'wouldn't anticipate any problems' on staffing. Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, took part in a demonstration outside Parliament (Jas Lehal Media Assignments/PA) Other amendments discussed – but not voted on – on Friday included ensuring care homes and hospices can decide whether or not to be involved in assisted dying and that their funding would not be affected based on their decision. Elsewhere, Labour's Dame Meg Hillier spoke of her concern that patients could 'feel pressured into ending their lives' if doctors are able to raise the prospect of assisted dying with patients first in a conversation. Dame Meg has urged MPs to support her amendments which would mean that could not happen, and that health professionals could not raise the topic with under-18s. Neither of those were voted on. Another amendment preventing a person meeting the requirements for an assisted death 'solely as a result of voluntarily stopping eating or drinking' – tabled by Labour's Naz Shah – was accepted by Ms Leadbeater without a vote. With dozens of amendments having been tabled for Friday, some MPs raised further concerns about the quality of the debate and the length of time allocated. The current stage – known as report stage – will continue on June 13, when further debate will take place in the Commons. If time allows on that day it is possible a third reading could take place, giving MPs another vote to either approve or reject the overall Bill and decide whether to send it on to the House of Lords. Speaking to pro-change campaigners following Friday's session, Ms Leadbeater said: 'We've got further to go, but I think it was a reasonably good debate.' Addressing a group in Parliament, including Dame Esther's daughter Rebecca Wilcox, Ms Leadbeater became emotional, saying she gets upset 'when we get obsessed with parliamentary procedure, when this is actually about human beings, and that's what I find upsetting, because I think it's not about a green book, or it's not about a piece of paper'.
North Wales Chronicle
17-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
MPs vote in favour of assisted dying opt-out for all healthcare workers
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was debated for almost five hours on Friday. It was the first time the proposed legislation had returned to the Commons since a historic yes vote in November saw a majority of MPs support the principle of assisted dying. MPs voted for one new clause to be added to the Bill, which will ensure 'no person', including any medical professional, is obliged to take part in assisted dying. Doctors already had an opt-out but the new clause extends that to anyone, including pharmacists and social care workers. The at-times emotional debate saw supporters of changing the law argue the Bill has returned with strengthened safeguards after being amended in committee earlier this year. But opponents have complained the Bill does not have enough protections and has been rushed through, with the criticism coming days after two royal medical colleges voiced their doubts on the legislation in its current form. Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill and is one of the most high-profile backers of the Bill, appealed for MPs to vote for what she termed a 'crucial reform'. In a letter to MPs on the eve of Friday's debate, she urged them to change the law 'as so many other countries have, not for me and for those like me who are running rapidly out of time, but for future generations to have the right if necessary, not to shorten their lives, to shorten their deaths'. She suggested some MPs opposed to the Bill have 'undeclared personal religious beliefs which mean no precautions would satisfy them'. This drew criticism in the Commons from Labour's Jess Asato who branded the Childline founder's comments 'distasteful and disrespectful'. An effort by Conservative MP Rebecca Paul preventing employees from providing assisted dying, while working for an employer which has chosen not to take part in the process, was rejected. Health minister Stephen Kinnock said that amendment might leave workers with 'conflicting obligations' and could make the service more difficult to access 'if employers can prevent their entire workforce from participating in the provision of assisted dying'. The Government is neutral on the Bill and any votes MPs make are according to their own conscience rather than along party lines. In its current form the Bill, which applies only to England and Wales, would mean terminally ill adults with only six months left to live could apply for assistance to end their lives, with approval needed from two doctors and the expert panel. Bringing her Bill back to Parliament, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said assisted dying must be legalised to avoid terminally ill people acting out of desperation or making 'traumatic' trips to Switzerland. Following the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) statement this week on its 'serious concerns' including on numbers of psychiatrists available to sit on panels assessing a terminally ill person's application, Ms Leadbeater told MPs said she 'wouldn't anticipate any problems' on staffing. Other amendments discussed – but not voted on – on Friday included ensuring care homes and hospices can decide whether or not to be involved in assisted dying and that their funding would not be affected based on their decision. Elsewhere, Labour's Dame Meg Hillier spoke of her concern that patients could 'feel pressured into ending their lives' if doctors are able to raise the prospect of assisted dying with patients first in a conversation. Dame Meg has urged MPs to support her amendments which would mean that could not happen, and that health professionals could not raise the topic with under-18s. Neither of those were voted on. Another amendment preventing a person meeting the requirements for an assisted death 'solely as a result of voluntarily stopping eating or drinking' – tabled by Labour's Naz Shah – was accepted by Ms Leadbeater without a vote. With dozens of amendments having been tabled for Friday, some MPs raised further concerns about the quality of the debate and the length of time allocated. The current stage – known as report stage – will continue on June 13, when further debate will take place in the Commons. If time allows on that day it is possible a third reading could take place, giving MPs another vote to either approve or reject the overall Bill and decide whether to send it on to the House of Lords. Speaking to pro-change campaigners following Friday's session, Ms Leadbeater said: 'We've got further to go, but I think it was a reasonably good debate.' Addressing a group in Parliament, including Dame Esther's daughter Rebecca Wilcox, Ms Leadbeater became emotional, saying she gets upset 'when we get obsessed with parliamentary procedure, when this is actually about human beings, and that's what I find upsetting, because I think it's not about a green book, or it's not about a piece of paper'.
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
MPs opposed to assisted dying criticise ‘distasteful' Esther Rantzen claims
MPs opposed to assisted dying have criticised 'distasteful' claims from the prominent campaigner Esther Rantzen, who argued many are fighting against the changes to the law because of secret religious views. Rantzen made the remarks in a letter urging MPs to back the 'strong, safe, carefully considered bill' to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. A string of MPs opposed to assisted dying strongly objected to Rantzen's claims that they had 'undeclared personal religious beliefs which mean no precautions would satisfy them'. During a five-hour debate on Friday, MPs voted to change the bill to provide an opt-out for healthcare workers from being involved in assisted dying – extending the exemption from just doctors. Its sponsor, Kim Leadbeater, also agreed in principle to an amendment to stop those who are voluntarily refusing food and drink being eligible for assisted dying in a move to protect those suffering eating disorders. A vote in November saw a majority of 55 MPs support the bill, and since then, the issue has divided MPs who are thought to be narrowly in favour, with strong feelings on both sides. Jess Asato, a Labour MP, was one of those who took issue with Rantzen's claims, calling on the bill's sponsor to condemn the remark for being 'distasteful and disrespectful'. Florence Eshalomi, another Labour MP, also raised the issue, saying it was 'frankly insulting to disabled people, hardworking professionals up and down the country who have raised many valid concerns about this bill, to have it dismissed as religious beliefs'. They were backed by Kieran Mullan, the shadow justice minister, who said: 'Some high-profile campaigners have made unhelpful remarks. Although I am not religious, I was concerned to see the clumsy criticism of those whose objections to the bill are thought to be centred in their religious beliefs.' Rantzen, a longtime supporter of assisted dying, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2023. She was thought to have just weeks to live, but last year started using a 'wonder drug' that helped her survive against the odds. Her daughter revealed in March that the former Childline founder's drugs were no longer working. It meant she was no longer well enough to travel to Dignitas. Leadbeater, the Labour MP proposing the legislation, said she had not seen Rantzen's recent remarks, and argued the changes would make the bill more workable and strengthen its protections. She said assisted dying must be legalised to avoid terminally ill people acting out of desperation or making 'traumatic' trips to Switzerland. Its supporters say the bill has returned with strengthened safeguards after being amended in committee earlier this year. But opponents have complained the bill does not have enough protections and has been rushed through, with the criticism coming days after two royal medical colleges voiced their doubts on the legislation in its current form. Some MPs are also unhappy about what they see as the chaotic way the legislation has been debated. Many MPs who tabled amendments did not get the chance to speak, and in the end only two amendments were put to the vote. The first amendment exempting healthcare workers passed, and a second amendment put forward by the Tory MP Rebecca Paul was rejected. This would have prevented employees from providing assisted dying while working for an employer which has chosen not to take part in the process. The eating disorder amendment was not chosen for a vote, but Leadbeater said she accepted it in principle and it would be supported at a later stage. Naz Shah, a Labour MP and opponent of the bill, had proposed the amendment, and was unhappy at the process, saying: 'Unbelievably I wasn't told by the sponsor that my amendment would be accepted until we were sitting in parliament. There was ample opportunity for me to be told and I had no knowledge of any proposed changes in advance. This bill is profoundly important and this chaos does a disservice to parliament and to our constituents. We shouldn't be playing games with people's lives like this.' Another MP said the votes on Friday were 'just skirmishes' and the showdown that makes clear whether any support has ebbed away from the bill is still weeks away. But they said many MPs were exasperated at the process that meant they felt issues were not getting sufficient time for debate. Mike Reader, a Labour MP, said: No matter your views on the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, also known as assisted suicide or assisted dying, people must agree that the time that's been allocated to debate the proposed amendments to the bill is not adequate. I'm disappointed that there appears to be a campaign to rush this through, backed by some significant and well-funded lobby groups.' The debate was marked by protests on both sides, with more than 100 people gathered outside parliament with placards. Addressing a group in parliament, including Dame Esther's daughter Rebecca Wilcox, Leadbeater became emotional, saying she gets upset 'when we get obsessed with parliamentary procedure, when this is actually about human beings, and that's what I find upsetting, because I think it's not about a green book, or it's not about a piece of paper'.
Rhyl Journal
16-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
MPs vote in favour of assisted dying opt-out for all healthcare workers
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was debated for almost five hours on Friday. It was the first time the proposed legislation had returned to the Commons since a historic yes vote in November saw a majority of MPs support the principle of assisted dying. MPs voted for one new clause to be added to the Bill, which will ensure 'no person', including any medical professional, is obliged to take part in assisted dying. Doctors already had an opt-out but the new clause extends that to anyone, including pharmacists and social care workers. The at-times emotional debate saw supporters of changing the law argue the Bill has returned with strengthened safeguards after being amended in committee earlier this year. But opponents have complained the Bill does not have enough protections and has been rushed through, with the criticism coming days after two royal medical colleges voiced their doubts on the legislation in its current form. Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill and is one of the most high-profile backers of the Bill, appealed for MPs to vote for what she termed a 'crucial reform'. In a letter to MPs on the eve of Friday's debate, she urged them to change the law 'as so many other countries have, not for me and for those like me who are running rapidly out of time, but for future generations to have the right if necessary, not to shorten their lives, to shorten their deaths'. She suggested some MPs opposed to the Bill have 'undeclared personal religious beliefs which mean no precautions would satisfy them'. This drew criticism in the Commons from Labour's Jess Asato who branded the Childline founder's comments 'distasteful and disrespectful'. An effort by Conservative MP Rebecca Paul preventing employees from providing assisted dying, while working for an employer which has chosen not to take part in the process, was rejected. Health minister Stephen Kinnock said that amendment might leave workers with 'conflicting obligations' and could make the service more difficult to access 'if employers can prevent their entire workforce from participating in the provision of assisted dying'. The Government is neutral on the Bill and any votes MPs make are according to their own conscience rather than along party lines. In its current form the Bill, which applies only to England and Wales, would mean terminally ill adults with only six months left to live could apply for assistance to end their lives, with approval needed from two doctors and the expert panel. Bringing her Bill back to Parliament, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said assisted dying must be legalised to avoid terminally ill people acting out of desperation or making 'traumatic' trips to Switzerland. Following the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) statement this week on its 'serious concerns' including on numbers of psychiatrists available to sit on panels assessing a terminally ill person's application, Ms Leadbeater told MPs said she 'wouldn't anticipate any problems' on staffing. Other amendments discussed – but not voted on – on Friday included ensuring care homes and hospices can decide whether or not to be involved in assisted dying and that their funding would not be affected based on their decision. Elsewhere, Labour's Dame Meg Hillier spoke of her concern that patients could 'feel pressured into ending their lives' if doctors are able to raise the prospect of assisted dying with patients first in a conversation. Dame Meg has urged MPs to support her amendments which would mean that could not happen, and that health professionals could not raise the topic with under-18s. Neither of those were voted on. Another amendment preventing a person meeting the requirements for an assisted death 'solely as a result of voluntarily stopping eating or drinking' – tabled by Labour's Naz Shah – was accepted by Ms Leadbeater without a vote. With dozens of amendments having been tabled for Friday, some MPs raised further concerns about the quality of the debate and the length of time allocated. The current stage – known as report stage – will continue on June 13, when further debate will take place in the Commons. If time allows on that day it is possible a third reading could take place, giving MPs another vote to either approve or reject the overall Bill and decide whether to send it on to the House of Lords. Speaking to pro-change campaigners following Friday's session, Ms Leadbeater said: 'We've got further to go, but I think it was a reasonably good debate.' Addressing a group in Parliament, including Dame Esther's daughter Rebecca Wilcox, Ms Leadbeater became emotional, saying she gets upset 'when we get obsessed with parliamentary procedure, when this is actually about human beings, and that's what I find upsetting, because I think it's not about a green book, or it's not about a piece of paper'.
