A national campaign for the legalisation of assisted dying gains momentum in the UK, buoyed by significant public support and the advocacy of high-profile figures like Dame Esther Rantzen.
The UK is witnessing a growing movement advocating for a change in the law regarding assisted dying, propelled by increased public demand and high-profile support. Sarah Wootton, the chief executive of Dignity in Dying, highlights a significant shift in public attitude, emphasizing the role of personal stories, notably that of Dame Esther Rantzen, in strengthening the campaign. Rantzen, who has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, has become a vocal advocate for the cause, influencing many with her perspective on the right to choose the terms of one’s passing.
The campaign led by Dignity in Dying seeks to address the complexities surrounding end-of-life care, intensified by medical advancements that can extend the dying process. Public opinion has shown steady support, with approximately three-quarters of Britons favoring a change in the law to allow assisted dying. Despite a previous bill on the matter being defeated in 2015, the consistent advocacy work and a strategic push for awareness have encouraged a more favorable view among MPs.
With the approach of a general election, Dignity in Dying is calling on political parties to incorporate this issue into their manifestos, aiming for an early debate and vote in the forthcoming Parliament. The campaign, leveraging the support from influential figures like Esther Rantzen and coverage in media outlets such as the Daily Express, hopes to facilitate legal reforms that will ultimately grant individuals more autonomy over their end-of-life decisions in the UK.
