The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.

Events

Choice at the end of life

Events

Choice at the end of life

At this event, we discussed the proposals for assisted dying legislation, explored the positive arguments for reform and addressed key concerns surrounding the issue.

The debate around assisted dying has been growing with debates in Parliament alongside high public support for reform. Both Conservative Party Leader Rishi Sunak and Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer support time for an assisted dying debate within Parliament. With the next election approaching, this issue is moving closer to a parliamentary vote.

The first part of the event looked at the previous attempts to change the law, why the current law requires reform, and how other areas of the world have reformed their systems. The second part of the event included a Question and Answer session.

Full event

Transcript

A pink strip at the top of the paper with the words: "Centre Think Tank". The title of the event is "Choice at the end of life", and below this is the words “Event transcript.” Below this is a light blue background with images of the individuals on the panel for the event. Under this are the words ”Event transcript” and “Took place on June 21st, 2024.“ At the bottom is a white strip with the Centre logo in pink and, alongside this, the words “Sponsored by Campaign for Dignity in Dying.”

Choice at the end of life event transcript

A summary of the event, including key topics and points raised during the discussion. This also contains the full transcript of the event and the question and answer session.
Download

Panellists

Portrait of Baroness Meacher

Baroness Meacher

Crossbench Member of the House of Lords

Baroness Meacher is a Crossbench Member of the House of Lords and is Chair of Dignity in Dying. She introduced the 2021 Assisted Dying Bill to Parliament, which received widespread support across Parliament. She previously chaired the Security Industry Authority, East London NHS Foundation Trust, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Choice at the End of Life. She was the acting chair of the Police Complaints Authority. She was also Chief Advisor on Employment to the Russian Government between 1991 and 1994.

Portrait of Professor Sir Sam Everington

Professor Sir Sam Everington

Former Vice President of the British Medical Association

Since 1989, Sam has been a GP in Tower Hamlets at the Bromley by Bow Centre and previously chaired Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group. He is also a Member of the British Medical Association Council, a former Vice President of the British Medical Association. In addition, he was a trustee of the Kings Fund. He is also on the council of the Royal College of General Practitioners and acts as the Vice President of the Queens Nursing Institute.

Portrait of Dr Alex Allinson MHK

Dr Alex Allinson MHK

Member of the House of Keys and Minister for the Treasury

Alex is an independent Member of the House of Keys and the Minister for the Treasury. He proposed the recent bill on assisted dying on the Isle of Man, which later became law. Previously, Alex successfully led the effort to legalise abortion on the Isle of Man. He is also a general practitioner in Ramsey.

Portrait of Cllr Will Barber–Taylor

Cllr Will Barber–Taylor

Will was our Deputy Director and now serves as a Councillor. He hosts the Debated Podcast and the Not A Day For Soundbites Podcast. Will was previously the Digital Campaigns & Media Officer for Generation Rent.

Event sponsor