How I will be voting on assisted dying bill - Wolverhampton MP talks about his dilemma

As the MP for Wolverhampton West, I have received more correspondence and inquiries on the issue of assisted dying than on any other issue since being elected in July 2024, and I have given this matter much thought.

I have tried to balance my own, personal views on the subject of assisted dying with what I believe to be in the best interests of my constituents. 

Ultimately, I have a duty to the constituents which overrides my personal position based on my own religious and morality beliefs.

Therefore, over recent months I have spent much time discussing the issue with constituents, clinicians, lawyers, parliamentary and other colleagues, as well as attending many meetings on this subject at Parliament, including discussing the matter with Kim Leadbeater MP who has brought the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Private Member's Bill on assisted dying, the second reading of which is taking place at the House of Commons on November 29.

I have also read literature on this subject and listened to debates. I am aware that this is a highly emotive topic with people being genuinely concerned, and that there are arguments on both sides on what is a very complex issue, making it a difficult decision to vote upon.

Personally, I do not agree with assisted dying and I would not want it for myself or for a family member. I remember when my mother was dying at New Cross Hospital and even when the doctors confirmed that the prognosis was very poor, I pleaded with them to do whatever they could to keep her alive, in the hope that a “miracle” might occur, my mother would go on to make a recovery, and I could bring her back home again. But as an MP, I have to look beyond myself, and be aware that not everyone will think like me and ultimately, people deserve to have a choice.

I have heard from many people face to face, including those in tears because a relative went through an extremely painful death. Assisted dying is taking place now, by those who can afford to spend up to £15,000 to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland and those choosing to die behind closed doors, without any safeguards. The current situation is far from satisfactory.

Kim Leadbeater MP’s bill provides for strict and comprehensive safeguards which include the patient being terminally ill with 6 months or less to live, having sufficient mental capacity to express a clear, settled and informed wish to die, with the decision being signed off by twodoctors and a judge, and with only the patient being able to self-administer the drug and changetheir mind whenever they wish to.The Bill also deals with palliative care, requiring doctors to discuss palliative, hospice or othercare available including the management of symptoms and psychological support. There is nothing to prevent us from continuing to seek to improve palliative care, which we should certainly do so.

The bill is also different from the legislation that exists in Canada and some European countries which do not limit eligibility to terminally ill adults with mental capacity and as regards the argument of a “slippery slope”, it will be necessary to return to Parliament to make any changes to the law.

If the Bill passes on 29 November 2024, it will be subject to further scrutiny.

I will therefore be voting to support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024 on 29November, but not without wrestling with my own conscience and having given the matter the most careful consideration.