The Milburn review presents itself as a plan to help young people into work, but Dr DYLAN MURPHY argues it is laying the groundwork for a harsher benefits regime
Latest editorial
Whose death is it anyway?
In a capitalist society euthanasia is not just a personal choice, says BEN PARANKULANGARA
Campaigners from across the continent will gather in Brussels on June 14 to oppose Europe’s accelerating militarisation and cuts to public services, write MAGGIE SIMPSON and BOB ORAM of No Cold War Britain
National co-ordinator for General Strike 100, HENRY FOWLER, continues his nationwide tour of partner organisations by visiting the Modern Records Centre at Warwick University
GEOFF BOTTOMS recalls meeting Fidel Castro in the ’90s after joining a Pastors for Peace caravan to Cuba, and reflects on how international support is still vital to help the island withstand economic warfare
The Ivors Academy’s hike in entry fees could turn this respected peer-assessed event into an exclusive preserve for those wealthy enough to compete, warns BEN LUNN
Peter Murrell’s weakness for the allure of prestige goods is symptomatic of modern consumer culture, says MATT KERR
MOMENTUM for legalising “assisted dying” — the now preferred term for euthanasia — is gathering apace. Much of the debate has been framed in terms of “conservative” opposition and “progressive” support, leading to an assumption on parts of the left that we should be in favour of altering the law.
It is argued that doctors’ traditional adherence to the Hippocratic oath, which forbids them from taking actions aimed at harming rather than healing the patient, is outweighed by developments in medicine that allow human lives to be prolonged far beyond what our ancestors could have expected and for people to be kept artificially alive in conditions that may be painful, humiliating and without hope of recovery.
Certainly it would not be without precedent to change the oath. Few modern medics swear by Apollo. More significantly the original oath forbids doctors from conducting abortions, a clause now widely disregarded.
Similar stories
Evidence to peers from medical leaders, patient safety officials and the children’s commissioner has intensified fears that the Bill’s safeguards are inadequate, writes ADAM JAMES POLLOCK
GEOFF BOTTOMS, who has worked in a palliative care hospice for 11 years, argues the postcode lottery for proper end-of-life care must be ended to give the terminally ill choice and agency
Campaigners vow to keep up fight against Assisted Dying Bill as it clears House of Commons