Former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron has announced his support for legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults, a shift from his previous stance.
Writing in The Times, Lord Cameron explained that while he had opposed similar proposals in the past, he now believes the current bill prioritises “shortening death, not ending life”.
Lord Cameron acknowledged that his past objections centred on concerns that vulnerable individuals might feel pressured into ending their lives prematurely. However, he expressed confidence that the proposed safeguards in Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill are robust enough to prevent such outcomes.
The proposed legislation would allow terminally ill people expected to die within six months to seek assistance in ending their life, provided two doctors and a High Court judge verify their eligibility and ensure the decision is voluntary.
Lord Cameron argued that the bill’s safeguards, which include criminalising coercion, make it difficult to dispute that it could “lead to a meaningful reduction in human suffering”. He pledged to vote for the bill if it reaches the House of Lords, making him the first former Prime Minister to support such legislation.
The endorsement comes as other former Prime Ministers—Gordon Brown, Baroness Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss have opposed the move. Brown, a vocal critic, warned that legalising assisted dying could alter society’s attitudes towards vulnerable groups and erode the caregiving role of medical professionals.
Baroness May, who voted against assisted dying in 2015, is reportedly unmoved by the current bill, while Brown, Johnson, and Truss will not vote as they are no longer MPs.
MPs will vote on the bill for the first time today.
The debate has sparked wider concerns. NHS palliative care specialist Dr Rachel Clarke highlighted the “patchy” nature of end-of-life care, warning that some terminally ill patients might feel pressured to opt for assisted dying if they feel like a burden.
Similarly, GP Dr Jess Harvey raised practical concerns, noting the strain on the NHS. The 2015 vote on assisted dying in the House of Commons saw a decisive rejection, and Cameron did not record a vote at the time.
