London, December 08, 2025
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called on the UK Parliament to delay the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, currently under debate in the House of Lords, urging a focus on improving palliative and end-of-life care before legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. This intervention reflects concerns about underfunded hospice care and potential risks to vulnerable populations.
Brown’s Core Message and Opposition
Gordon Brown emphasizes that it is “not too late to put the brakes on assisted dying” and instead prioritise what he describes as “what is really needed”: considerably enhancing palliative and end-of-life care. He contends that the current bill privileges the legal right to assisted death without guaranteeing a comparable right to high-quality care for all patients approaching life’s end.
He highlights a growing financial crisis affecting hospices and palliative services, noting that access is especially limited in poorer communities. Brown also raises ethical concerns, cautioning against the societal implications of normalising assisted dying, which he fears could subtly shift attitudes toward elderly, disabled, and seriously ill individuals. His appeal underscores that “assisted living matters too,” advocating for dignity in life alongside attention to death.
Alternative Proposals
Brown urges Parliament, particularly the House of Lords, to delay advancing the assisted dying legislation until meaningful reforms in end-of-life care are enacted. He refers to recent government reports recommending universal access to high-quality palliative care, backed by appropriate funding and staffing improvements for hospices and community support services. He proposes revisiting the assisted dying question only once those improvements are firmly in place.
Current Legislative Context and Political Positions
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, recently passed its third reading in the House of Commons. It is now subject to detailed scrutiny in the House of Lords, where peers assess the bill’s safeguards and broader implications for society. Among prominent UK political figures, the bill has divided opinion: Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Liberal Democrat leader Daisy Cooper, and leaders of the Green and Plaid Cymru parties support it, citing compassion and protections. By contrast, Brown has joined former Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss in opposition. Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron and current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have expressed support for the legislation.
Wider Significance
The debate over assisted dying in the UK represents one of the most profound ethical and social crossroads of the generation. Brown’s intervention adds significant weight to calls for caution, grounded in his reputation for social justice and moral leadership. His arguments reframe the discourse, shifting the focus from legalising assisted death toward ensuring comprehensive, equitable care for terminally ill individuals.
As Parliament continues its deliberations, the future of assisted dying legislation remains uncertain. Brown’s call to prioritise improving the quality and accessibility of end-of-life care raises critical questions about society’s commitment to supporting those approaching the end of life—not only in how they die but in how they live.