A curious decision by the Royal College of GPs (RCGP). The UK governing council of the group – which represents GPs across Great Britain and Northern Ireland – opted on Friday to change its long-standing policy on assisted dying. It has now shifted to a position of neither supporting nor opposing assisted dying, prompting Kim Leadbeater to hail the decision as ‘welcome’. In a glossy graphic, she added that ‘evidence from other countries where similar legislation has been passed’ suggests ‘more and more health professionals come to support it and participate in it’.
But Mr S is a little confused as to why the College should choose now to perform such a striking volte face. The press release accompanying the findings said that:
The UK Council debate and subsequent decision was informed by an all-member survey that ran between 24 January and 10 February 2025, which received 8,779 responses… The College commissioned Savanta – a third-party independent research agency – to administer the member survey.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in