British Prime Minister David Cameron has voiced his personal opposition to euthanasia during parliamentary questions on the subject.
As the British Parliament gears up for a September debate on ‘assisted suicide’, Mr Cameron said: “I don’t support the assisted dying proposals. I don’t support euthanasia,” and added, “I know there are imperfections and problems with the current law, but I think these can be dealt with sensitively and sensibly without having a new law that actually brings in euthanasia.”
Mr Cameron was responding to a question posed by Fiona Bruce MP, a patron of the advocacy group Right to Life, who, as a parliamentarian, has been a fierce opponent of an earlier assisted suicide Bill presented to Parliament.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Bruce said of moves to legislate for euthanasia and assisted suicide: “Such proposals threaten the lives of the frail, elderly and disabled, as evidence from other countries shows, where many choose to take lethal drugs or a lethal injection because they see themselves as an unwanted burden. What is needed is in such circumstances is care, practical help and support, both for the individual – in what is often the most vulnerable of situations – as well as for their family and friends.
Referencing the forthcoming debate, she added: “I am confident that members of Parliament will vigorously oppose and reject efforts to legalise assisted suicide, as was clearly shown to be the case the last time this was debated at length in the House of Commons, in 2012.”
With David Cameron currently leading a majority government, it is thought that any passage of a new assisted suicide Bill will be an uphill task for its supporters.
