Britain is on the cusp of a major shift in end-of-life care, but the momentum risks stalling. A new assisted dying bill, championed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, had sparked hope among many terminally ill patients and their families. It promised to give people with incurable conditions the legal right to choose a dignified death. But that hope has now been clouded by a proposed delay that would push the law’s implementation as far as 2029. The reasons for the delay, on the surface, are understandable.

Ms Leadbeater and others involved in shaping the bill have cited the need to establish new training for medical professionals, set up oversight systems, and ensure a commission and expert panel are in place to review applications. These are critical steps for any legislation involving life and death decisions. But while the intention may be to do this responsibly, the extended four-year timeline is raising serious........

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