A group of clergy have written an open letter criticising Labour’s Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill, which is scheduled for debate in Parliament on Friday.
Signed by 1,065 Church of England clerics, the letter condemns the bill for its "sinister" utilitarian perspective on life, expressing concerns that it could lead individuals with severe physical or mental conditions to perceive their lives as “less valuable”.
Kim Leadbeater has strongly defended her proposal, saying that it includes strong safeguards in place for those most vulnerable. However, Rev Richard Bastable, the letter's organiser, has questioned this claim, arguing that the term “strong” remains debatable.
“I think it's a very dangerous thing to begin to say that life isn't worth living beyond a certain point, especially when that point can be dragged constantly forward.
"You know, it's never going to go back once we say six months, we're never going to decrease that to three months. We're actually probably going to increase that to 12 months, or possibly get rid of that time frame altogether, and say this is accessible for anybody who wants it. And I think it's a huge risk to those who live with multiple sorts of vulnerability, and especially where those vulnerabilities might overlap in themselves.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged that the Government will invest in end-of-life care, regardless of the outcome of Friday’s vote.
The debate on Friday is the first such discussion in the Commons on this issue in nearly a decade – with a vote expected at the end to decide whether it will proceed to committee stage for further scrutiny.
Describing the legislation as a “dangerous threat to society,” the group contends that lifting the blanket ban on assisted dying would represent “a perilous journey for our legislature to undertake.”
Instead of “offering the option of death,” they argue that the government should prioritise “greater investment in hospice and palliative care, further medical research into effective pain relief and treatment, and support for the families of those who are dying.”
Among the letter’s signatories are the Bishops of Bath & Wells, Birmingham, Blackburn, Chichester, Exeter, Leicester, Lincoln, London, Newcastle, Rochester, Sheffield, Southwark, Southwell & Nottingham, St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, and Winchester.
Former prime ministers Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, and Baroness Theresa May have all publicly opposed the Bill. While none of them will vote in the Commons on Friday, Baroness May could cast a vote should the legislation advance to the House of Lords.
In recent days, there has been widespread criticism of religious perspectives “contaminating” the debate. Rev Richard dismissed such views as neither “fair nor reasonable.”
“Their starting point isn't how democracy works," he continued. "If we live in a democratic country, then we need to listen to a broad range of views, especially those that might be espoused by thousands, if not millions, of people within our country, Christians and other faith groups as well.”