'Assisted dying laws must change in time for Esther'

Former Justice Secretary Lord Falconer has urged MP’s to legalise assisted dying “in time” for terminally ill TV legend Dame Esther Ranzen to use.

Last week Lord Falconer introduced a private member’s bill in the House of Lord’s which would allow terminally ill adults with six months or fewer to live to get medical help to end their own lives. The new legislation would apply only to people "mentally able to make the decision" and their choice would need to be approved by two doctors and the high court.

Last night Lord Falconer urged backbench MPs to quickly introduce a similar bill in the Commons where it has a greater chance of success.

He said he wanted new laws to be introduced so they could be used by Dame Esther, who has terminal lung cancer.

“Everyone accepts we are reaching the climax of this issue. Let’s do this quick enough for Esther. She is saying she wants to die in her home, surrounded by relatives of her choosing. I am urging MP’s to pick this up and hold a vote in time for Esther,” he said.

Last night Esther’s daughter, TV presenter Rebecca Wilcox said: “I am tearful that Lord Falconer wants this legislation to come in time for mum. Angels walk amongst us and I believe he is one of them. The current law is a mess and it is hell for any relative in this position especially those who may face prosecution for trying to give their loved ones a peaceful death. My family and every family in the same position will be very grateful to Lord Falconer who really understands the need for this legislation and the safeguarding around it.”

The comments come after health secretary Wes Streeting opened up about the issue and said the assisted dying debate was one “whose time has come.”

Mr Streeting said: "I totally understand - to the extent I can understand – why you would want that right to choose and right to die on your terms through legal assisted dying.

"My only hesitation, because I think I’m sold on that principle, is how we get the legal framework right so that no one ever feels coerced – directly or indirectly – to exercise assisted dying without those checks and balances in place and making sure we’ve got the right palliative care in place.

"I think as a country we need a much broader conversation about how to have good deaths."

He added: "I voted in favour of the assisted dying bill when it last came before parliament. It’s a difficult one but I think it’s time to have the debate again."

Last March Keir Starmer told Dame Esther, 83, that he would try to change the law on assisted dying if he became Prime Minister.

Speaking to the TV to the former That’s Life presenter in a phone call the Labour leader said: “I’m personally in favour of changing the law. I think we need to make time. We will make the commitment. Esther, I can give you that commitment right now."

Dame Esther has been campaigning for assisted dying to be legalised since she was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2023.
Writing in the Daily Express, she said: “This week, for the first time for over a year, I caught a glimpse of hope… I have dared to look forward.”

What we terminally ill need is to be allowed the hope that if life becomes intolerable, we can ask for help to leave it.

She said the first reading of the Bill had provided “light at the end of a tunnel which has trapped me for so long.”

However some experts fear relaxing the law would put pressure on people who feel they are a burden to their families, while others argue no assisted dying law can be completely safe because some people who do not really want to die will "slip through the net".