I know that many constituents have deep concerns about the issue of Assisted Dying, Dignity in dying and Choice at the End Of Life. This is a debate that continues apace and that is understandable. Allow me to explain my position on this.
End of life care and the law around assisted dying are complex and sensitive issues and we all know that there are strong ethical and moral views that exist within the discussion. As far as I’m aware no political party aligns with any particular position.
I know that Canada, Australia and some states in the USA have introduced legislation allowing assisted dying under strict legal conditions. However, I have been personally against assisted dying because, though I understand and sympathise with the arguments for allowing it, I remain concerned that it would be open to abuse and put the most vulnerable people at risk.
As well as this, the ongoing neglect in social care is hugely relevant. I am concerned that people who are left without properly funded palliative care may feel pressured into accepting assisted dying as a resolution to insufficient care. There is much talk of a social care plan but to date, nothing remotely substantive has come to fruition here.
Anyone diagnosed with a serious, or potentially terminal illness deserves the best possible care. Until such a level of care is made available, I can see no reason to improve accessibility to assisted dying because of the risk that some may see themselves as a burden to others would remain.
I can assure all of you that I will continue to take into account the concerns that reach me and I see that the debate is a lively one just now, and that can only be a good thing.
It seems to me that there are meetings fairly regularly in the House on this subject and the feedback from the most recent meeting, not surprisingly, was informative, particularly in terms of the very different, and often traumatic experiences of some who choose to travel abroad to end their life.
Of course, I remain open to these discussions, and committed to a wider goal of ensuring everyone can have the healthcare they need, and die in dignity.
Separately, you can see my contribution to yesterday’s Human Rights Day Debate in parliament here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-12-08/debates/815F902C-2B1B-404E-926E-E6FA6A56455F/InternationalHumanRightsDay#contribution-0360DCB1-A88F-45DC-9E2A-C30B11062B2E
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