The UK assisted dying bill is coming back. Its Labour champion is looking to Australia for inspiration
Lauren Edwards’ campaign is trying to restart a stalled process to legalized assisted dying in England and Wales — and she's taking cues from her native Australia.
LONDON — Despite Britain falling behind Australia in the realm of assisted dying, one Labour MP named Lauren Edwards is determined to push forward a bill for change in the UK. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Edwards has firsthand experience with the laws in Victoria, where assisted dying has been legal since 2017. The MP argues that her legislation is "preferable and has stronger safeguards" than the Australian model, which does not require individuals to be in unbearable suffering.
However, Edwards acknowledges that her bill's success this time around depends on the support of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has expressed skepticism about the issue. UK law currently punishes the offense with up to 14 years in prison. Edwards emphasizes the importance of addressing both social care and assisted dying to ensure the well-being of terminally ill adults.
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