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MPs have voted to prevent doctors and other healthcare professionals from raising the subject of assisted dying with anyone under the age of 18.
It’s a significant moment during ongoing debates over the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, because the amendment – proposed by Labour MP Meg Hillier – was passed by 259 votes to 216, against the wishes of the bill’s sponsor, Kim Leadbeater.
While the bill explicitly applies only to adults, Hillier warned of the “very real risk” that future versions could be extended to include children and young people – a phenomenon seen in other countries where assisted dying laws have already expanded far beyond their original remit.
This marks the first defeat for Leadbeater in the Commons chamber itself, and could signal growing unease among MPs about the direction this legislation is taking.
Indeed, more than a dozen MPs who either supported or abstained on the bill initially have now said they are reconsidering their position.
Five books are gone – 45 to go!
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Why legislate against something that is already illegal?
While it may seem redundant to prohibit something the bill doesn’t legally allow anyway (under-18s cannot access assisted dying under this legislation), the vote was symbolic – and strategic.
It reflects mounting concerns that the door is being left ajar for the gradual expansion of eligibility criteria in the years to come.
As such, Hillier’s amendment can be seen as a warning shot: MPs are prepared to push back against any drift toward normalising assisted death for the young or otherwise vulnerable.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Vox Political’s position on the Bill
Vox Political supports the principle of assisted dying – but only when robust safeguards are in place to ensure it is freely chosen, medically justified, and legally protected from abuse.
This Site opposes the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in its current form, for the following reasons:
-
Essential safeguards have been removed, most notably the requirement for judicial oversight. Decisions once scrutinised by a judge will now be assessed by a so-called “panel of experts”, reducing the independence and transparency of the process.
-
This opens the door to coercion. When people are terminally ill, physically weak, emotionally drained and possibly under financial pressure, even subtle suggestions from doctors, family members, or society at large could push them toward a decision they wouldn’t make otherwise. We cannot ignore the possibility of people being quietly nudged into assisted dying — particularly when the very body meant to scrutinise their case is less independent than before.
-
Hillier’s amendment to block under-18 discussions is welcome – but telling. The fact that it was needed at all suggests the bill’s protections are not as watertight as claimed. The fact that Leadbeater opposed it raises further questions about where this legislation is really heading.
-
Parliament is rushing this through. Despite claims of 90 hours of debate, there has been little room for serious public or expert scrutiny. A law that affects life and death decisions deserves more than a rapid-fire procession of amendments and procedural squabbling.
Until full legal safeguards are restored — including judicial review and watertight protections against coercion — this Bill must be opposed.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
Other changes that should raise eyebrows
Friday’s debate also saw MPs approve several other changes to the Bill, some strengthening it, others loosening protections further:
-
Advertising ban: A ban on advertising assisted dying services was approved, but with ministerial discretion to allow exceptions — a loophole some MPs argued could be exploited in future.
-
Coroner exclusion: An amendment backed by Leadbeater ensures assisted deaths under the bill would not automatically trigger a coroner’s investigation. Critics say this could make it harder to detect abuse or systemic failures. Supporters argue such deaths would already be heavily scrutinised during the approval process.
-
Doctors’ conscience clause clarified: MPs agreed that a process must be in place for replacing doctors who refuse to participate in assisted dying, and that a report should be filed where concerns arise about any proposed case.
While Leadbeater and her supporters still claim this will be the “safest assisted dying bill in the world”, opposition is growing — and the line between compassion and risk is becoming ever more blurred.
Five books are gone – 45 to go!
Just click on the image, make your donati
Make your voice heard
Do you believe this bill goes too far? Or not far enough? Either way, it’s not too late to make your views known.
MPs will next debate the bill on June 20.
If you have concerns — about coercion, inadequate safeguards, or the risk of expansion — contact your MP now. Tell them what you think.
This is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in decades.
Let’s not allow it to pass without full public engagement.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
MPs block docs from offering ‘assisted dying’ to under-18s – but is the Bill safe yet?
Share this post:
MPs have voted to prevent doctors and other healthcare professionals from raising the subject of assisted dying with anyone under the age of 18.
It’s a significant moment during ongoing debates over the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, because the amendment – proposed by Labour MP Meg Hillier – was passed by 259 votes to 216, against the wishes of the bill’s sponsor, Kim Leadbeater.
While the bill explicitly applies only to adults, Hillier warned of the “very real risk” that future versions could be extended to include children and young people – a phenomenon seen in other countries where assisted dying laws have already expanded far beyond their original remit.
This marks the first defeat for Leadbeater in the Commons chamber itself, and could signal growing unease among MPs about the direction this legislation is taking.
Indeed, more than a dozen MPs who either supported or abstained on the bill initially have now said they are reconsidering their position.
Five books are gone – 45 to go!
Just click on the image, make your donation
and provide your details!
Why legislate against something that is already illegal?
While it may seem redundant to prohibit something the bill doesn’t legally allow anyway (under-18s cannot access assisted dying under this legislation), the vote was symbolic – and strategic.
It reflects mounting concerns that the door is being left ajar for the gradual expansion of eligibility criteria in the years to come.
As such, Hillier’s amendment can be seen as a warning shot: MPs are prepared to push back against any drift toward normalising assisted death for the young or otherwise vulnerable.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Vox Political’s position on the Bill
Vox Political supports the principle of assisted dying – but only when robust safeguards are in place to ensure it is freely chosen, medically justified, and legally protected from abuse.
This Site opposes the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in its current form, for the following reasons:
Essential safeguards have been removed, most notably the requirement for judicial oversight. Decisions once scrutinised by a judge will now be assessed by a so-called “panel of experts”, reducing the independence and transparency of the process.
This opens the door to coercion. When people are terminally ill, physically weak, emotionally drained and possibly under financial pressure, even subtle suggestions from doctors, family members, or society at large could push them toward a decision they wouldn’t make otherwise. We cannot ignore the possibility of people being quietly nudged into assisted dying — particularly when the very body meant to scrutinise their case is less independent than before.
Hillier’s amendment to block under-18 discussions is welcome – but telling. The fact that it was needed at all suggests the bill’s protections are not as watertight as claimed. The fact that Leadbeater opposed it raises further questions about where this legislation is really heading.
Parliament is rushing this through. Despite claims of 90 hours of debate, there has been little room for serious public or expert scrutiny. A law that affects life and death decisions deserves more than a rapid-fire procession of amendments and procedural squabbling.
Until full legal safeguards are restored — including judicial review and watertight protections against coercion — this Bill must be opposed.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
Other changes that should raise eyebrows
Friday’s debate also saw MPs approve several other changes to the Bill, some strengthening it, others loosening protections further:
Advertising ban: A ban on advertising assisted dying services was approved, but with ministerial discretion to allow exceptions — a loophole some MPs argued could be exploited in future.
Coroner exclusion: An amendment backed by Leadbeater ensures assisted deaths under the bill would not automatically trigger a coroner’s investigation. Critics say this could make it harder to detect abuse or systemic failures. Supporters argue such deaths would already be heavily scrutinised during the approval process.
Doctors’ conscience clause clarified: MPs agreed that a process must be in place for replacing doctors who refuse to participate in assisted dying, and that a report should be filed where concerns arise about any proposed case.
While Leadbeater and her supporters still claim this will be the “safest assisted dying bill in the world”, opposition is growing — and the line between compassion and risk is becoming ever more blurred.
Five books are gone – 45 to go!
Just click on the image, make your donati
Make your voice heard
Do you believe this bill goes too far? Or not far enough? Either way, it’s not too late to make your views known.
MPs will next debate the bill on June 20.
If you have concerns — about coercion, inadequate safeguards, or the risk of expansion — contact your MP now. Tell them what you think.
This is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in decades.
Let’s not allow it to pass without full public engagement.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
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