I’m glad to say that over 70 per cent of the British public support assisted dying, but this has been a bruising time for those of us in the UK who want to see the law changed. The Scotland bill fell after a thoughtful debate. Scotland at least reached a decision, albeit not the one the majority of Scots wanted.
The Westminster process has been less admirable. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, overwhelmingly supported by the public and approved by the House of Commons, was expected to pass through the Lords – whose role is to scrutinise and improve legislation, not cynically bury it. But the bill’s failure was deliberately engineered.
Several lords, on both sides of the argument, were outraged at the blatant abuse of process, damaging not only the bill but to the reputation of Parliament.
So, now what? Well, the fight goes on. Organisations like Dignity in Dying and My Death, My Decision won’t give up. Nor should they. The tide is with them, despite opposition from some MPs, including my own son Danny Kruger, who I politely disagree with.
How come all those countries where assisted dying is legal do not suffer the dire consequences the bill’s opponents dread? The Commons’ Health and Social Care Committee, which examined the matter and reported back to the house, found no evidence of coercion by greedy families or by institutions wanting expensive old people out of the way. And not one country has sought to repeal their law.
It’s such a shame. If a handful of unelected lords had not been up to their tricks, we could already be calmly facing a painless, peaceful death at a time and place of our choosing.
When this debate inevitably continues, those lords who seem to have misplaced their humanity had better find it again. How about a bit of compassion, m’luds?
If they still won’t budge, then it is essential that the Government steps in by invoking the Parliament Act – a seldom-used measure designed to prevent just such undemocratic blocking – to ensure this bill can be seen through to its proper conclusion.
Hence then, the article about we deserve a say in how we die was published today ( ) and is available on Radio Times ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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