Assisted Dying

[francovendee]

I've seen 4 close relatives die in great pain, all from cancer. The first was my father nearly 60 years ago, the most recent 2 years back.
Completely different parts of the country so postcode lottery isn't a factor.
The MPs who vote against the bill may feel very different when their end of life comes.

[Carlton green]

And the terminally ill ain't gonna vote....

That’s correct, the dead and (typically) those very near to death don’t vote. However! Those that are left behind do remember the suffering of friends and family and we do vote! Starmer, very sensibly imho, has made this a free vote and whilst I recognise the need for concern and scrutiny it's important that politicians seek a broad consensus of their electorate’s views and recognise the compassion present in aiding the inevitable.

It’s worth noting that nearly 75% of the population support some form of assisted death for the terminally ill and that only just under 15% oppose it. https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/ ... -dying-law
The poll might be imperfect but in this case the (small) margin of error should be insignificant to the message.

[axel_knutt]

So astonishing are they voting on this Friday if it's not a proposal to change the law?

I don't know what happened there, it was supposed to say:

Astonishing, so what are they voting on this Friday if it's not a proposal to change the law?

[Carlton green]

I am pleased to report that The Bill passed its first reading. Parliamentary support appears not to be as strong as the will of the electorate, but it was sufficient.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c99rzxlv99et

[djnotts]

Only a start I know but "sigh of relief". Just hope statute before I need it.

[axel_knutt]

Another Gosport has just got a whole lot easier.

[pwa]

I feel that we have reached a point where this is unstoppable. It could be delayed, but the debate has shown that the public are firmly for it. Parliament getting in the way of the people isn't sustainable in the long term.

[al_yrpal]

As someone who watched their dearest loved one suffer enormously for months prior to a painful death I am glad the bill passed. We can only hope that various nutters etc dont get it watered down. The safeguards seem more than adequate to me.

Al

[Pendodave]

I'm not sure that it will be as unstoppable as people might hope - I predict an enormous amount of foot dragging and teeth sucking by those opposed to the legislation (assuming that it'll pass the other stages) to string things out. That's without the standard glacial and slightly incompetent movement of public affairs.

[Cowsham]

It would be interesting to have an opinion poll on here for and against.

[djnotts]

Be good for me and my kids if in time to save me 15 grand on a trip to Switzerland.

[rjb]

It's such an emotive difficult topic I was glad I could leave the decision to our paid elected representatives to discuss and evaluate the subject on my behalf. I would have been happy with whatever decision was reached.

[pwa]

In a refreshing move, our MP has posted on social media to say how he voted, and why. His post was long and detailed, laying out the factors that guided him. He voted in favour. But he also said he wants the bill to be amended later on, or he intends voting against it at the third reading. I am impressed by his desire to engage with his constituents.

[PH]

I'm still undecided on the subject, I'm in favour in principal, but there's some obstacles that I'm not sure any safeguards can overcome.
On a side note - I listened to the debate this morning and was impressed by the quality of the contributions, both content and delivery. This is how our parliament should work, and it's a pity the consideration for others opinions isn't more often evident.

[[XAP]Bob]

As someone who watched their dearest loved one suffer enormously for months prior to a painful death I am glad the bill passed.

It's only passed its second reading - i.e. the first vote.
It now goes to the committee stage for discussion and amendments before it is up for a third reading (which is much harder, and it was a really close vote on this reading) before it moves to the Lords...