Assisted dying

28th Nov 2024

Many residents have written to me about the second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that comes to the House of Commons this Friday, 29th November.

The issue of assisted dying and end of life care is both emotive and serious. I have long been of the view that allowing people to make the decision to end their own lives to alleviate suffering for themselves and their loved ones should be permitted. As such, I will be voting in favour of allowing the Bill to proceed to the committee stage where it can undergo more thorough scrutiny.

I have listened to those on the other side of the debate and heard their concerns. It is vital that proper safeguards are put in place to prevent coercion and exploitation of vulnerable people. It will be critical that this Bill is subjected to very close scrutiny if it progresses.

It must of course be accompanied by improvements to palliative care and mental health treatment. A decade of mismanagement by the Conservatives has left our health service on its knees, but that should not be a barrier to progressive change.

I am grateful to everyone who has been in touch with me on this subject, and particularly those residents with alternative perspectives to my own and those with personal stories they have shared with me.