I’ve seen the horror show terminally ill patients go through – we must let them choose to die with dignity, Tory MP says
A senior Tory MP argued today that terminally ill patients should be allowed to pass away with dignity rather than being made to undergo a “horror show.”
Ex-minister Kit Malthouse made a heartfelt final appeal for colleagues to support the assisted dying Bill before of tomorrow’s historic Commons vote.
Mr. Malthouse disclosed on Never Mind The Ballots that he had personal experience spending time with British citizens who are dying and experiencing “pain” and “agony.”
He contended that because they are unable to obtain a humane and controlled method of ending their lives in peace, sick people are increasingly resorting to “violent” attempts at suicide.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with dying and bereaved people over the last ten years campaigning on this issue, and I’ve seen the horrorshow that people go through in the current status quo,” the top Tory stated.
“Every year, over 650 people commit violent, heinous suicides.
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“One individual who can afford it travels to Switzerland every week to end their own life.
“We have a duty as a government to step in and regulate this, supervise it, bring safety for those people who are facing agony at the end of their lives.”
Danny Kruger, a senior Tory MP, told Never Mind The Ballots that he disagrees with Mr. Malthouse’s assisted dying bill, which was introduced by backbench Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, because it lacks adequate protections.
Mr. Kruger further stated that he is worried the NHS will push people to pass away early in order to avoid “bed blocking” and that the state shouldn’t have the authority to determine that “some people are better off dead.”
“The Bill is not drafted with enough safety and rigor, in my opinion, to guarantee that people who none of us would really expect to qualify for it would still be able to get this assisted death,” he stated.
Because the definition of a terminal illness is so flexible, persons with eating disorders, diabetes, and other conditions that are highly treatable can qualify. This is what occurs all throughout the world.
“I’m also concerned that the NHS may decide to pursue this.
“If the NHS was worried about bed blocking, worried about the enormous expense that people have at the end of their lives in hospital (they could) be putting people onto this pathway to an assisted death.”
Assisted Dying Bill – what you need to know
WHAT IS GOING ON?A Private Members Bill to grant terminally ill persons in England and Wales the right to an early death was tabled by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, and it will be put to a vote by MPs on Friday.
Party whips will not force MPs from any party to adopt a certain position because they have been granted a free vote on the issue.
Sir Keir Starmer was in favor of amending the legislation when MPs last voted on assisted dying in 2015.
Though his ministers have been less forthcoming, the prime minister has yet to comment on his plans for Friday.
Top lawmakers who support and oppose the Bill have developed a sour public dispute despite being told by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to keep their opinions to themselves.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy are among those who are standing with Ms. Leadbeater.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Deputy PM Angela Rayner, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are among those opposed.
If Friday’s vote is successful, the bill will move on to the Commons’ committee and report phases, where lawmakers will have the opportunity to examine each line of the bill and consider revisions.
Even if the Bill passes tomorrow, it might still be voted down at this point.
HOW IS THE BILL APPLIED?In the UK, assisted suicide is currently illegal.
This would change under Ms. Leadbeater’s bill to permit early death for those who fulfill the following requirements:Over the age of 18, residing in England or Wales, and having a GP registration for a minimum of 12 monthsmentally capable of making an independent, well-informed decision without outside influenceanticipated to pass away in six months.made two statements indicating a wish to die that were witnessed and signed.obtained approval from a high court judge and two separate physicians.
The Bill outlaws forcing a terminally sick person to pass away.A 14-year prison sentence would be imposed on anyone found guilty of pushing someone to do so.
WHY AND WHO IS CONCERNED?Assisted dying opponents fear that the weakest members of society may be coerced into taking their own lives too soon.
They worry that old people and those with disabilities would be easy candidates for pressure, or that they would even unjustly convince themselves that they are a burden to their friends and family.
The paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompsan has expressed misgivings about doctors’ capacity to make a six-month diagnosis and expressed fear that vulnerable British citizens may be exposed to coercive control.
Mr. Streeting has maintained that an inflow of persons wanting an early death cannot be supported by Britain’s palliative care system.He has cautioned that the NHS may face severe financial strain if the Bill is implemented.
And there’s the matter of the courts. According to retired English judge Sir James Munby, there are only 19,000 sitting hours annually, but cases could take up 34,000 hours of court time.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has rejected the Bill because of this and the backlogs that currently exist.
IF IT PASSES, HOW WILL PEOPLE DIE?Even if someone satisfies every requirement outlined in the bill, they would still need to wait at least 14 days after a judge signs off on their application.
The individual would then have to take the drug themself, even though a doctor could prepare it.
In tomorrow’s Commons debate, which will last little under five hours, more than 160 Members of Parliament have asked to speak.
The next step in the Bill’s path through parliament and potentially into law will be decided by a close vote.
According to a Times poll of 508 Members of Parliament, or more than three-quarters of the Commons, more than half intend to vote in favor, while 217 are opposed.
While 140 MPs are unsure or have not made their opinions known, at least 26 are anticipated to abstain.
According to a poll conducted last week by the think tank More In Common, two-thirds of voters are in favor of the idea, and those who have lost a parent are inclined to sympathize with it.
However, the NHS is ill-equipped to offer the service for over three-quarters of individuals.
The prime minister, who has previously expressed support for assisted suicide, has said he will vote but has not yet stated which way he will vote.
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Deputy PM Angela Rayner, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are among the other cabinet heavyweights who are against the bill.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle are all in favor.
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