As you may know, the second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 is scheduled to take place this Friday, November 29th. This is not a Government Bill, and MPs will vote on the Bill as a matter of conscience and will not be whipped. This means that MPs will be free to vote based on their position, rather than having to vote with their party.
It is a hugely important subject and people on both sides of the debate have strongly held beliefs, often based on personal and sensitive experiences or faith.
I will be attending the debate and, after a great deal of research, consideration, and listening to a wide-range of constituents’ views, I have decided to vote against the Bill.
I want to take the time to explain why I have made this decision. From my own personal experience of supporting a loved one, in pain and with no prospect of getting better, I empathise hugely for those who think that people should be given the option to avoid such suffering.
While I may agree with the principle of assisted dying, and the strengths of the many important and legitimate arguments in favour, I am not yet sufficiently satisfied that the Bill provides strong enough safeguards against misapplication. Until it does, I cannot in good conscience support it. Until I can, with total confidence, be reassured that the most vulnerable people in our society are fully protected, I will not be able to vote for this Bill.
Another important factor that has influenced my decision is that I believe assisted dying should never become an alternative to high-quality palliative care. This should be a genuine option and choice for people, and with the current state of the NHS, it is sadly not. People deserve dignity in dying and should always receive the best care, however they decide to approach the end of life.
The sad reality is that, currently, access to good palliative care in the UK is a postcode lottery and too often dependant on individuals having a loved one to advocate for them. I don’t believe the Bill sufficiently protects those with disabilities, or poorer families who can’t afford or access palliative care. I also remain concerned that this Bill in its current state does not safeguard enough against coercion, or people feeling like a burden.
I may consider voting for this in future if all my concerns are addressed, as I agree with the principle of giving people a choice. However, as a legislator, it’s right and fitting that I vote on this Bill as it stands in front of me right now, and in the current circumstances – not what it might or could evolve into in future. With this in mind, any assisted dying legislation must be totally and completely water-tight for me to vote in favour. I do not feel we have reached this point yet. As it currently stands, I believe the practicalities of implementing this Bill do not satisfy necessary safeguarding needs.
I have hugely valued hearing the varied perspectives of my constituents on this critical issue, and the arguments put forward on both sides have really informed my deliberations. Thank you to all who have taken the time to contact me.