Westminster Life: A sensitive issue to be handled carefully

​One of the biggest topics in my inbox is assisted dying. I’ve had hundreds of emails from those supporting change and those worried about what it means.

I know that this is a passionate issue for many reasons. It is rightfully an emotive topic with strong opinions and points to be considered on both sides.

Parliament will get a chance to vote on a change to the current law due to a Private Members Bill being tabled by my colleague, Kim Leadbeater MP. This will be what is called a ‘free vote’ meaning that MPs will vote with their conscience, not according to what political party they are a member of.

Our understanding and knowledge have grown since Parliament last voted on this issue in 2015. Surveys indicate increased support amongst the public, and many bodies such as the BMA have changed their stance from being against assisted dying to being more open on the issue.

My instinct is to support choice and to respect the views of individuals in often very difficult circumstances.

It is not the same, but I vividly remember the discussions my family had when my brother was being kept alive by life support. I cannot think of a more difficult time as NHS staff supported my family and cared for my brother. He was kept alive by machinery and so did not get to make a choice for himself. His accident took that choice away from him and he passed away a few days later.

But my experience has made me sympathetic to the many emails I’ve had from constituents who want that choice for themselves or loved ones. I deeply sympathise with campaigners who wish to see a change in the law regarding assisted dying, and those experiencing life with an incurable illness or with terminally ill relatives. We must also support better Palliative and Hospice care, an aspect of healthcare that has been undervalued.

Yet whilst my instincts support choice, I am concerned about the protections that would be needed and how they would work in practice. Safeguarding must be at the heart of this bill. As pointed out by the Health Secretary, there are very valid questions about how the current state of our NHS will factor into people’s decisions on assisted dying. We must be cautious that assisted dying does not become an alternative to investing in palliative care, nor can we allow it to conflict with the rights of disabled people. We must protect the most vulnerable in our society.

The contents of the bill have not yet been released at the time of writing, but I remain cautious and have yet to see legislation that fully addresses concerns about coercion or doubt.

If a vote was today, I could not support it. But I am committed to listening and learning. I would like to thank everyone who has reached out to me on this issue. It is an extremely emotional subject, and we must do it justice. I would welcome your input so please get in touch if you have a view of experience to share.