The public and MPs are also out of step when it comes to allowing assisted suicide for non-terminally ill patients suffering from painful incurable diseases
Back in 2019, a YouGov study on left and right wing beliefs showed that support for assisted dying was the nation’s most closely bipartisan view.
Now new YouGov research shows that there is overwhelming public support for doctor-assisted suicide for patients suffering from a terminal illness, but that MPs are heavily divided on this issue.
Almost three quarters of Britons (73%) think the law should be changed to allow doctors to assist in the suicide of someone suffering from a terminal illness, including 74% of Conservative voters and 76% of Labour voters. However, just 35% of MPs feel the same way.
MPs are just as likely to say they oppose such a move, at 35%. This is four times as high as the rate among the general public (9%).
MPs are also more likely to be unsure on the subject, at 31% compared to 17% of all Britons.
Britons also tend to support allowing doctors to assist in the suicide of someone suffering from a painful, incurable – but not terminal – illness, by 50% to 23%. Again, MPs are far more reluctant to see such a change, with only 16% in support compared to 51% opposed.
Methodology: YouGov completed online interviews with 100 MPs from across the House of Commons as part of our monthly MP Omnibus survey.
