Poll shows majority support for assisted dying as date set for MPs’ vote | Politics | News

The majority of people in England and Wales want assisted dying to be legalised for terminally ill adults, a survey reveals. 

Some 63 per cent of more than 2,000 adults questioned supported changing the law, while just 20 per cent opposed it and 17 per cent were neutral or did not have an opinion.

The result is the latest in a long history of independent polling which shows that the current law is out of step with the public’s wishes.

A 2022 survey carried out for the Express Give Us Our Last Rights crusade by Savanta ComRes put support at 75 per cent. 

And earlier this year the largest UK poll ever conducted on the topic involving more than 10,000 people also found 75 per cent supported the change.

READ MORE: Kim Leadbeater hails ‘light at end of tunnel’ for assisted dying campaigners

The new findings come just days before Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is due to introduce a Private Member’s Bill seeking to expand choice at the end of life.

Her Bill will be formally introduced to the Commons next Wednesday followed by a Second Reading on November 29. It is expected to face an intense debate followed by the first vote on assisted dying among MPs for almost 10 years.

If the Bill passes its Second Reading, it will enter a committee stage followed by further scrutiny in the House of Commons and the House of Lords before a final vote on whether it should become law.

Professor Bobby Duffy, one of the experts behind the poll by the Policy Institute and the Complex Life and Death Decisions Group at King’s College London, said: “With two-thirds of the public in our study saying they want assisted dying to be made legal within this parliament, it seems right that a bill should be introduced and debated by MPs and peers.

“Supporters cite many strong reasons why they’d like to see assisted dying legalised, from reducing pain and distress in death, giving people more dignity and control over when and how they die, and avoiding the need to travel to other countries like Switzerland.”

The research found that support remained “virtually the same” why participants were given key details of the leading proposals for law change, which would allow assisted dying only for terminally ill adults who are mentally competent and in their last six months of life.

The top reasons given by supporters included wanting to give people a less painful or distressing death (85 per cent), believing that giving people more dignity is important (83 per cent), and thinking that people should be able to choose how and when they die (72 per cent).

Support varied by age range with 68 per cent of over 35s supporting law change within this Parliament, compared with half of 18-34 year-olds.

However, many participants also had reservations about the possible risks, despite being broadly supportive.

Six in ten said they were concerned about people being pressured to have an assisted death and 48 per cent said they would likely rethink their position if someone’s choice was motivated by a lack of access to other care.

People were most concerned about pressure on those with mental health conditions (43 per cent), disabilities (34 per cent), chronic pain or long-term health conditions (33 per cent) and cognitive impairment (30 per cent).

Meanwhile, 59 per cent thought assisted dying should be available on the NHS if legalised, while 55 per cent supported private healthcare companies providing it too.

Study co-author Professor Gareth Owen said: “Whether one holds strong views about assisted dying or not, this data on the public’s views about the choice the Westminster parliament now faces deserves sympathy, respect and the attention of MPs and Peers.

“Two thirds of the public look ready for a change in the law but preferences may be unstable in light of moral complexities and imperfect access to care.”

Professor Katherine Sleeman added: “With a Parliamentary vote on assisted dying imminent, it is critical that the debate on assisted dying considers the complexities involved in implementing this kind of reform.

“This includes the implications of legalising assisted dying in a context where many dying people struggle to access the care they need.” 

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said the vote next month would be “a historic opportunity for MPs to listen to the public mood and bring about real change for dying people and their families”.

She added: The ban on assisted dying is forcing terminally ill people to suffer despite the best care, spend their life savings travelling to Switzerland, or take matters into their own hands at home, with relatives often left traumatised.

“[On Wednesday] MPs of all parties gathered to hear directly from individuals and family members who have witnessed this devastation firsthand. Their message was crystal clear: the ban on assisted dying must end.”

Referring to the survey of 10,000 people, which was commissioned by Dignity in Dying, Ms Wootton added: “Three-quarters of the British public, from all parts of the country and walks of life, understand the pressing need for law change on assisted dying.

“It would give dying people a proper choice over how they die, and would introduce practical measures to assess eligibility, ensure rigorous medical oversight, and robustly monitor every part of the process. 

“When Westminster comes to debate this Bill, MPs must remember that families across the country are depending on them to do the right thing; to vote for choice, for safety, for compassion and for dignity.”