This Week in Politics
Assisted Dying Awakes Debate in Britain
The undoubtedly difficult moral decision of allowing or not allowing assisted dying has provoked fierce debate and uncertainty. Ahead of the parliamentary vote, the power-wielding Labour Party had decided not to descend on its MPs with the party whip, allowing members to determine their stance. The Health Secretary Wes Streeting has proclaimed his opposition. The Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall supported the bill and the "right to choose" for terminally ill patients. Some 3 former Conservative prime ministers - Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss - have publicly stated their opposition. Former Labour leader and Prime Minister Gordon Brown made clear his opposition, saying the emphasis should be on good end-of-life care. Incumbent Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Stamer has priorly said "I personally do think there are grounds for changing the law.”
On Friday an hours-long session took place in which MPs gave remarks, at some points emotional, about their position toward the bill. In the usually loud and dramatic House of Commons speeches and remarks were listened to respectfully and in silence.
“Let’s be clear, we’re not talking about a choice between life or death, we are talking about giving dying people a choice about how to die,” Kim Leadbeater the bill's sponsor stated.
Supporters of the change argue it provides a dignity in dying and limits suffering, thereby helping to protect the vulnerable. The opposition worries that vulnerable people may be, directly or indirectly, pressured into ending their lives for financial reasons or emotional burdens on the family. Others stated the main focus should be on good palliative care.
The bill passed 330-275 and will move ahead, with the House of Commons reviewing a polished proposal in the coming months.
Ireland Heads to the Ballot Box
In an exit poll from Friday, the Irish left-wing party Sinn Féin mustered 21.1% of the first preference votes in a major disappointment compared with election cycle polling, with centre-right Fine Gael at 21% and centre Fianna Fáil at 19.5%. While the exit poll showcases a drop in support for independents, diverting from poor polling, from 15% in 2020 to 12%. Smaller parties such as Labour, the Greens, and Social Democrats all hoover in a range of less than 2% from each other. Similar to 2020 Sinn Féin seems set to become the largest party, by the slimmest of margins, without a possibility of reaching a majority. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, current coalition partners, are set to receive just under the needed seat count for an outright majority, and will likely therefore rely on smaller parties to reach the 88-seat majority threshold.
