Many constituents have been in touch to share their views about Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's Assisted Dying Bill. Those constituents have represented a balance of views for and against, including many who have been directly and personally affected by the issues it raises.
While I am extremely sympathetic to the wishes of those who want to be able to have greater choice about when and how their life ends, it is clear that there would need to be extensive safeguards to protect the vulnerable.
We need to be clear that the bill coming forward is what is called a ‘private members bill’ which reflects the personal opinion of an individual MP. Because it is not being brought forward by the government, there will be little more than a few hours to debate the matter and no opportunity for parliament to even consider matters such as legal safeguards, in any level of detail. As a consequence I will not be supporting the bill although I will be present and following the debate.
