Christian leaders and politicians are urging MPs to reject a renewed attempt to legalise assisted dying, warning that vulnerable people will be put at risk and calling instead for better palliative care.
The intervention comes after Labour MP Lauren Edwards announced she will reintroduce the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, with MPs expected to debate and vote on it in September.
Edwards said reviving the legislation would help "restore a bit of faith in our democratic processes" after the previous bill, introduced by Kim Leadbeater, failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session.
But Christian Labour MP Rachael Maskell said she was "hugely disappointed" to see the bill return. Speaking to Premier Christian News, the York Central MP said Parliament had already spent significant time debating the proposals while other priorities went unaddressed.
"It didn't follow the evidence," she said.
"It was rejected by the professional colleges, the Royal Colleges representing the practitioners who work in end of life, rejected by 95 per cent of people working in palliative medicine."
Maskell argued that improving end-of-life care, rather than changing the law, should be Parliament's focus.
"The real challenge that needs to be addressed is to ensure that palliative care is properly funded, specialist palliative care is available for everyone, and that we have a system that works," she said.
"When it's broken, of course, people will turn to desperate measures, but it's so unnecessary."
She urged MPs to reject the legislation and focus on issues "that can bring our communities together".
Archbishop John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool and Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, also expressed his opposition.
"I am deeply disappointed that the previously unsuccessful Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being reintroduced in the House of Commons," he said.
"The Catholic Church opposes this Bill in principle and joins with many other people of faith and none in arguing that we should not cross this watershed."
He said concerns raised during previous debates remained unresolved, pointing to opposition from medical professionals, disability rights groups and campaigners working against domestic abuse and eating disorders.
"Reintroducing this legislation, once again, places the most vulnerable at risk. I ask MPs to reject this Bill," he said.
Archbishop Sherrington also echoed calls for better support for those nearing the end of life.
"Surely what is now needed to help the terminally ill is an improvement in compassionate, high-quality palliative care, and proper hospice funding," he said.
He concluded with an appeal to Christians across the country: "Finally, I call on all people of goodwill to join me in work and prayer to prevent this flawed bill from succeeding."
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to seek an assisted death, subject to safeguards including approval by two doctors and an expert panel.
If reintroduced as expected, MPs will once again be asked to vote on one of the most significant ethical issues facing Parliament.
