Ahead of this week’s vote on the Assisted Dying Bill, I’d like to thank everyone who has written or spoken to me about this important and sensitive issue.
The proposed Bill is of serious importance and would mean significant changes to how British society approaches end-of-life care, so it is essential that the next step that Parliament takes must be the right step.
After carefully scrutinising the Bill and listening to a range of perspectives from both sides of the debate, I have decided to vote against it on Friday. While this vote is a matter of conscience for MPs, it’s important for me to share with you the reasons for my decision.
In principle, my view is that the choice of an assisted death should be available, so that an adult who is terminally ill and of sound mind can make a clear and settled choice on the time and manner of their own death, subject to strict conditions.
However, I do not believe that circumstances are currently right for such a profound change in the law on assisted dying. Given the current troubled state of the NHS and without much-needed improvements in palliative care, I am not sufficiently reassured that an assisted death would be a genuine, free choice for everyone.
I hope that we will revisit the legislation on assisted dying in the coming years, at a point when Britain will be in a better place, able to safely and effectively implement this important step of social reform and ready to accept it.
I have spent many hours reading in depth the cases for and against changing the law, considering the issues carefully, listening to those with views on both sides, discussing these concerns, and reading every email and letter that my constituents have sent me. While I know that some people will disagree with me, I hope this reassures you that I have reached a carefully considered decision and been open about my views.