Dozens of MPs who voted in favor of Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide bill have indicated they may withdraw their support over the possible involvement of medical professionals.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill aims to allow terminally ill people in England and Wales who are deemed to have less than six months to live to receive assistance to commit suicide.
The bill passed second reading in the House of Commons with a majority of 55 votes and is expected to be considered in committee soon, but several MPs scrutinizing the bill say it needs to be changed to move forward. It is claimed that there is.
Slimming majority
Lawmakers are particularly keen on banning medical professionals from recommending assisted suicide to patients, among other changes they want to secure.
The Guardian reports that as many as 30 MPs are prepared to withdraw their support if such assurances are not received, in which case the bill could be defeated on third reading.
“I’m happy that the bill is making progress, but I’m also concerned that the bill will be addressed before it actually becomes law,” one lawmaker told the paper.
They added: “I think we’ll start with a majority of 55 (gradually whittled away).” I think it will pass with a majority of 10 to 20. And that starts to make the lord’s situation potentially even more difficult. ”
“Danger of Accidental Coercion”
Labor MPs Chris Webb and Mike Tapp, who voted in favor of the bill, favor amending the bill to reduce the scope of enforcement.
Mr Webb said 60 per cent of the 400 voters who responded to the survey said they wanted assisted suicide to be legalized, and that’s why they voted yes. But he added: “I feel that further scrutiny and discussion is needed, and I will continue to listen to all viewpoints and consider my position on the next steps.”
“We are uncomfortable with the fact that this bill allows doctors to suggest to patients that they may take their own lives, and we believe this should be removed from the bill.”
Mr Tapp told BBC News: “It should only be discussed if raised by the patient. It’s helpful.”
adult social care
Former Cabinet minister David Davis, who also voted in favor of legalization, told the House of Commons: ”
He added: “After the ‘do not resuscitate’ scandal during the coronavirus crisis, I don’t want that at any cost. I don’t want the state to start this process.” . That’s very important to me. ”
Councilor Josh Fenton-Glynn, member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, said: I’ve seen horrible things. Any adult social worker will probably tell you they’ve seen horrific coercion from people who loved the person, but in the end they didn’t use coercion because it was making their life easier at the time. I end up doing it. ”
“If you want to donate a kidney, there are more safeguards than if you want assisted dying,” he said.
Dame Esther Rantzen
Late last year, Dame Esther Rantzen, one of the Kim Leadbeater Bill’s most prominent supporters, announced that she now has a new benefit in her list of “10 things that make me so happy to be alive.” It was revealed that there was. A “wonder drug” to treat her stage 4 lung cancer.
She says new drug osimertinib could add years to her life, but Telegraph deputy editor Michael Deacon says if assisted suicide had become legal a year ago, “Dame… Esther may no longer be with us, because she herself may have taken advantage of the opportunities she has campaigned so hard for.
He added: “Prominent figures in the ‘assisted dying’ campaign have raised the important point that even if some doctors think you only have a few months to live, that could turn out to be wrong. “I unconsciously emphasized this,” he said. .
“Like Mrs. Esther, your life may still be extended thanks to a wonderful new drug so you can continue to enjoy the daily pleasures on her list.”
See also:
Leadbeater’s ‘false statements’ labeled ‘misleading and disgraceful’
Assisted suicide bill puts seniors and chaos at risk, experts fear
Widespread dismay at progress on ‘unworkable’ Leadbeater bill
22-year-old refuses euthanasia in his final moments
Report shows assisted suicide laws have negative impact on palliative care
