A new poll released coinciding with a related storyline running in popular soap opera Coronation Street has yet again demonstrated the overwhelming public support for assisted dying. Actress and Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association (BHA) Julie Hesmondhalgh has been leading on a right to die story in the British soap Coronation Street, as her character Hayley is terminally ill. The British Humanist Association(BHA), which has long campaigned for the right to die with dignity, and has been supporting the legal cases of Jane Nicklinson and Paul Lamb in the Supreme Court, have welcomed the poll and the opportunity to highlight the need for Parliament to legislate on this increasingly pressing issue.
Hayley, who was the first transgender character in a British soap, has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and decided she wants to take her own life as her condition has deteriorated. The public consistently and overwhelmingly supports medically assisted death both for people with terminal illnesses like Hayley, and for people with incurable conditions who are unable to end their own lives. A poll last year showed 81% of British public support for mentally competent individuals with incurable or terminal diseases who wish to end their lives to be able to receive medical assistance to do so, without those assisting them facing prosecution.
Andrew Copson, BHA Chief Executive, commented ‘We are delighted to see Coronation Street taking on this storyline and for it to be centred around Julie’s character. They are tackling what is one of the most important bio-ethical issues of our time. When a mentally competent adult is suffering incurably, is permanently incapacitated, and has made a clear and informed decision to end their life but is unable to do so independently, simple compassion calls out to us to give assistance – it’s the right thing to do. That’s what the overwhelming majority of the British public believe, and we think the law should reflect that and it is a great opportunity to have a public discussion through this storyline being run on such a popular soap.’
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For further comment or information contact Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.
The Sun story and poll ‘Let sick Brits die like Hayley: 73% of Brits back Corrie-style suicide’
BHA commissioned polling showing 81% of public support assisted dying:
http://humanists.uk/2012/09/07/news-1108/
Previous BHA news article – ‘L’ waives right to anonymity in assisted dying court case:
http://humanists.uk/2013/04/18/paul-lamb-l-waives-right-to-anonymity-in-assisted-dying-court-case/
Previous BHA news article – Court of Appeal allows ‘L’ to join Tony Nicklinson Claim:
http://humanists.uk/2013/03/20/court-of-appeal-allows-l-to-join-tony-nicklinson-claim/
Previous BHA news article – New case to test rules on assisted dying in UK:
http://humanists.uk/2011/08/19/news-873/
The BHA’s campaign on Assisted Dying:
http://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/assisted-dying/
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.