Crewe & Nantwich MP Connor Naismith has confirmed he will be voting in favour of the Assisted Dying Private Members Bill (Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill).
The details of the bill have now been published and MPs have been told they can vote how they wish as “it is a matter of conscience”.
The bill is already splitting opinions among MPs in the same parry.
Published on Monday, it would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their life if two doctors and a High Court judge verify they are eligible and have made their decision voluntarily.
Mr Naismith said: “I want to thank the many constituents who have contacted me on the matter.
“I understand that this is a very emotive issue with strong views on both sides of the debate.
“I have listened intently to those arguments and have studied the bill when determining my own position and I have decided that I will be voting for the bill.
“I feel that this measured reform will provide much needed dignity, choice and control at the end of life.
“I believe strongly that these things should not be reserved for those who can afford to take that choice overseas, but should be the universal right of those who are suffering at the end of their lives.
“While I accept there are legitimate concerns about the appropriate safeguards, I am confident that this bill strikes the right balance between addressing the freedom to choose at the end of life and protection against risks highlighted during the course of the debate.
“I want to thank Kim Leadbeater MP for bringing forward the bill and providing the space for the country to have this important conversation.
“I look forward to seeing the bill progress through the various stages of our legislative process and hope to see it become law.”
Labour health secretary Wes Streeting fears the new law would come at the expense of other NHS services.
He plans to vote against the new Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill later this month, arguing the government should focus on improving end-of-life care.
All views my own.
As a GP who has cared for many people in their last days I feel it is important to express an opposing view. The debate that should be happening is how we should better fund and support our palliative care teams. This would allow death to occur with the right support, allowing dignity and symptom control.
In my view assisted dying is a slippery slope, which cannot safeguard against misuse and would place the most vulnerable under pressure to ‘choose’ death. I do not believe that would make us a better or more caring society.
Former PM Gordan Brown expresses this more eloquently than I: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/22/assisted-dying-palliative-care-end-of-life
Mr Naismith states: “While I accept there are legitimate concerns about the appropriate safeguards… Simply put, if there is even one legitimate concern about safeguarding, this bill should go no further and I would urge Mr Naismith to contemplate and reflect on those legitimate concerns during the debates to come and to vote against it.
Whilst I agree with Mr Naismith’s stance in voting for the ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ it’s a pity that also ‘As a matter of conscience’ he didn’t see fit to vote against scrapping Winter Fuel Payments for 10M OAPs which will in effect assist the dying of up to 4000 OAPs according to his Party’s previous research?
What was that about, “Much needed dignity, choice and control at the end of life” Mr Naismith?…