Nigel Farage, who is set to oppose Kim Leadbeater’s private member’s bill today [FRI], explained that without scrapping Britain’s human rights obligations, the legislation will inevitably be widened in scope via appeals to Strasbourg.
Speaking after his immigration press conference yesterday [THURS], Mr Farage said his opposition to assisted dying has changed ahead of the vote, but insisted he will allow his MPs to vote however they please.
He argued: “My fear is, even if we introduce this with safeguards, all someone has to do is go to the court in Strasbourg, then you start to see a broadening of the definitions of what would count under this legislation”.
“That’s my big fear. We’ve seen big social reforms that have led to consequences that were perhaps unintended, including the 1967 Abortion Act.
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Nigel Farage has set out his position on assisted dying (Image: Getty)
“Whilst I have huge understanding and sympathy with people who want to vote for it – and it’s ghastly when you see people in your own family going through this sort of thing – I really worry about the road towards elderly people effectively being pushed into taking this decision.
“At the moment I find that a risk too great.”
However he added that in a future Britain that has left the ECHR, he could be willing to “take a different view”.
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MPs will vote on Kim Leadbeater’s bill tomorrow (Image: Getty)
Mr Farage endorsed the nature of the free vote on assisted dying, arguing more political debates should not be whipped.
He also suggested that following the success of this week’s petition calling for a general election, Britain should introduce more direct democracy which would allow for voters to call a referendum on issues provided a few million backed a petition.
The Reform UK leader said that if he becomes Prime Minister in 2029 – something he says is “possible” – his day one priority would be bringing legislation forward to dis-apply the ECHR from UK law.