Dawn French, the 68-year-old star of The Vicar of Dibley, has expressed concerns that an assisted dying law could disproportionately affect the poorest members of society, leaving them feeling like a "burden" with "nobody to speak on their behalf."
Change of Heart on Assisted Dying
Last month, French was one of the most prominent celebrity supporters of the assisted dying bill, calling the lack of legal assisted dying in the UK "merciless" and a "no-brainer." However, in a recent interview on Simon Mayo's Books of the Year podcast, she revealed she has reconsidered her position after learning more about the potential impact on society's most vulnerable.
"When it comes to the assisted dying bill, I cannot understand how we can't be merciful," French said. "But I also don't know enough about it. I know it's nuanced. I know it's complicated."
Rory Stewart's Influence
French admitted that her change of heart was prompted by a "very interesting point" made by former politician and broadcaster Rory Stewart. Stewart argued that if the bill passes, poor people would be the ones to suffer, as they might feel pressured to end their lives due to financial or social burdens.
"Rory said his fear is that if [the bill] does go through – like so many social constructs like this, big laws like this – poor people will be the people that suffer," French explained. "They'll be left out, they will feel like they're a burden. They will feel like they have to go. There won't be anybody to speak on their behalf."
Nuances of the Legislation
French acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that any assisted dying law would require the involvement of lawyers, family members, and doctors, with the patient's agency being paramount. "Everybody would have to agree, and it would have to be very watertight," she said.
She added that she had previously not considered the social injustice that might arise from such legislation. "I know there's the religious stuff; I know the moral stuff. But I had never considered the social injustice it might bring. I had to have a second thought about that. And I need to investigate it a bit further."
Status of the Assisted Dying Bill
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill collapsed in April after running out of time in the House of Lords, where peers tabled more than 1,200 amendments. However, campaigners have vowed to continue their fight, and Labour MP Lauren Edwards has introduced a fresh bill before Parliament, with MPs expected to vote on it in the autumn.
Personal Experience with Palliative Care
French also shared a personal story about her mother, Roma, a social care worker and charity pioneer who died 13 years ago at age 77 after a battle with lung cancer. French described the "beautiful" palliative care her mother received, which allowed her to have agency over her final moments.
"She said to us, I'm not scared of dying at all… I'm scared of not being able to breathe - which was gradually what was happening. This wonderful woman walked into the room and said, 'I'm the head of the palliative care team.' She said, 'Now, let me do my job. What would you like to happen, Roma?' And my mum said, do you know, I am so tired now. I want to go to sleep and I don't want to wake up. She said, 'then so be it.'"
French added that her mother had time to gather the family, say goodbyes, and even share laughs. "My mum had agency over what happened. It was all controlled by her, but with respect from this wonderful woman. So many people don't have that."
