Forum Topic

Assisted dying has become law

Sense prevails and we now have the right to choose.

Lucille Grant ● 49d18 Comments

Has it passed?  I thought MPs were voting now, at least at 2:41pm....

Ivonne Holliday ● 49d

Unfortunately not, there was a vote against a second reading. 

Michael Ixer ● 49d

Unfortunately not, there was a vote against a second reading. 

Michael Ixer ● 49d

The End of Life bill has been rejected by 286 to 270 votes. As a Catholic the Prime Minister was unable to support the bill but he chose to abstain, presumably  in order not to alienate the majority of his party who were in favour. Rather pathetic.

Steven Rose ● 49d

Sorry I must have misread the news report. Burnham sitting on the fence is unforgivable.

Lucille Grant ● 49d

It was voted down by a very small margin.  This issue is far too important to be decided by less than a thousand people.  Referendum is needed on this in my opinion.

Sue Hammond ● 49d

I agree with Sue and Lucille.  It should go to a referendum and Burnham should be ashamed.  People should have a choice and if they choose to end their lives in a civilised manner that choice has been taken away wrongly in my opinion.

Robert Wheeler ● 49d

I am against the bill, Robert, but I don't think an issue as complex as assisted dying can be simplified into a single question in a referendum. A number of MPs who voted against the bill were not necessarily against assisted dying in principle but were concerned about the lack of safeguards, the role of doctors, the use of NHS resources and a number of other matters, none of which can be adequately addressed in a referendum.

Steven Rose ● 49d

What would you recommend in a civilised society to let desperate people make their own choice in life?  We don’t have the funds or resources in the NHS to fix broken minds or bodies so we therefore allow those who do commit suicide often in barbaric way eg trains, rivers and expect the police and ambulance service to clean up.  This surely can’t be the way forward.The cost to the NHS is a nonsense - just let those who want assisted dying pay.  Personal choice in this life has to be key.  Many of my family are medics and l am amazed at the number who have made their own personal exit strategy decisions if they ever needed to.

Robert Wheeler ● 49d

I agree that a referendum would not be appropriate, because this is precisely the kind of issue that parliament should decide on. I'm just really disappointed that it's been voted down, particularly as in the first attempt to pass it, it was carried in the Commons but defeated in the Lords by a few malcontents who, in bad faith, raised so many piffling objections that it was talked out.

Richard Carter ● 49d

But clearly the concerns of the 'malcontents' in the Lords were shared by a majority of MPs in the Commons who also voted the bill down.

Steven Rose ● 49d

Such a small difference in the number of today's votes, Steven. Reminds me of the Brexit referendum.

Lucille Grant ● 49d

English friends, my age, have lived in Adelaide for onver 20 years  I do not know their views on AD but I am angry that, if they wanted AD they could get it whereas Icannot. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. It should be for the individaul to decide, and they should not be deniedtaht right by a few MPs orreliious leaders.  A referendum sounds a good idea.In 2970 Itook out s lifr mrmbrdhip of the then Voluntary Euthansia Society now Dignity in Dying  so I've been hoping for this for many years

Elizabeth Balsom ● 49d

For anyone who has experienced the agony and humiliation of a loved one and their family going through the last months of a terminal illness this is a sad day. I see our MP Fleur Anderson voted against choice.

Hugh Thompson ● 49d

I agree with you both, Elizabeth and Hugh. Most disappointed by Fleur.

Lucille Grant ● 48d

Care used to be worse.  I remember when those with terminal illnesses dying at home and screaming out in pain just had to wait at home with their traumatised loved ones for whoever it was who was allowed to administer the painkillers to to get around to arriving at their house.  Now we have hospices with outreach nurses who can come and help and the understanding of pain and relief from pain has been studied more and is better understood. A relative more recently stayed for a week or so in a hospice so that her drugs mix could be monitored and adjusted to get it to suit her and work for her better.  She then went home again and everyone caring for her was better able to do so.More attention and funds need to go into hospices and into social care so that beds are freed up in hospitals.  Quality of life and death can then be improved.

Philippa Bond ● 48d

Well Philippa, stop feeding and homing the illegals then there might be more money. They get Doctors Dentists food, phones, roofs over their head. But if you have a property your money will be taken from you for the care home.

Barbara Stevens ● 48d

Wrong thread Barbara.

Philippa Bond ● 47d