AFTER a passionate debate, MPs voted in favour of a Bill that would allow terminally ill adults, expected to die within six months, to seek help to end their own life.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater secured a historic win for her proposed law as MPs voted 330 to 275 in support of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, following an impassioned debate in Parliament.
They were given a free vote on the proposed legislation for England and Wales.
This does not mean the bill has become law, but it allows it to advance for further parliamentary scrutiny with the backing of the elected chamber.
While Warrington’s two Labour MPs Sarah Hall and Charlotte Nichols voted in favour of the bill, Tatton Tory MP Esther McVey, who represents Lymm voted against it.
Warrington South MP Sarah Hall said: “The question I asked myself today, as I entered Parliament was one of freedom.
“The freedom to live a full life as you want it, and the freedom to die when you choose.
“The vote today was one of compassion, dignity, and individual autonomy.
“This was not an easy decision to make, I have spent much of my time over the past few months listening, reviewing, and learning.
“I have spoken to and read letters from constituents and health professionals who have shared deeply personal stories and experiences. They told me of family members, friends and patients needlessly suffering in extreme pain at the end of their life, terminally ill with months, weeks or days to live. They asked me if it is really living if all they are doing is suffering.
“Many have also been in touch to share their concerns about, the safeguards proposed, the scrutiny of the Bill, their personal and religious views on the sanctity of life, the risks of the Bill, the broken palliative care system and the need for system reform.
“I have been profoundly moved by arguments from both sides and must admit I have been brought to tears by the stories I have heard.
“As I sat in Parliament, listening to the passionate debate from colleagues, I began to draw my final conclusions on this complex issue and make the difficult decision on how to vote.
“As I stood in the voting lobby, I once again asked myself about the question of freedom. The freedom of choice, compassion, dignity, and autonomy.
“Today, I felt a harrowing responsibility on my shoulders, and I hope whether you were a supporter of the Bill, or you disagreed with it, you will understand why I came to the conclusion to vote in favour of The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
“I would once again like to thank everyone who has been in touch with their views over the past few weeks and months about this incredibly important topic.
“If any constituent would like to contact me about the Bill, or to continue the conversation about life, death, palliative care or any of the other topics raised during the debate on the Bill, you can reach me at SarahHall.co.uk/contact.
Warrington North MP Charloitte Nichols said: “Following a long debate in Parliament, many drop-ins with experts, and hundreds of constituents getting in touch with me from all sides of the debate, on Friday I voted in favour of The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at Second Reading.
“The Bill now moves to committee stage, where changes and amendments can be made, as well as evidence gathered from experts in the many complex and sensitive areas of policy these proposals impact, with further stages it needs to pass if it is to become law.
“My decision was largely based on the conversations I had with constituents who are terminally ill, and those bereaved having seen loved ones die in awful circumstances. In principle, this Bill is not between life and death, but what kind of death and on which terms. I accept entirely that palliative care needs significant improvement too, and don’t view that aim and this Bill as mutually exclusive- indeed the Bill has opened up an important national conversation on care that I hope continues alongside its passage through the process.
“I have not yet determined how I would vote at these later stages, and am carefully listening to all the arguments made- particularly in relation to safeguarding, and the practical implications of a potential change this seismic. If we are going to make this change as a country, and that remains a big ‘if’ at this early stage, it is important we get it right.”
MP Esther McVey
Tatton MP Esther McVey who represents the Lymm area of Warrington said: “In recent weeks I have had hundreds of emails from constituents on this, about two-thirds of which opposed this Bill.
“I fully sympathise with those wanting to see a change in the law and do understand the arguments put forward. This was an incredibly hard decision for everyone voting on it.
“However, after serious deliberation, today I voted against legalising assisted dying.
“I believe the Bill put before MPs was rushed, it didn’t provide time for everyone to speak, nor was there sufficient time to scrutinise it.
“A Bill of this magnitude needs proper time and consideration. It will allow the state to authorise death, it is a massive change to the law and to the notion of the sanctity of life.
“I am also concerned there will not be adequate safeguarding systems in place to ensure that people feel free to make truly voluntary decisions. My fear is that a law would alter society’s attitude towards the elderly, seriously ill and disabled and sends a message that assisted dying is an option they ‘ought’ to consider. This risk of elderly patients feeling they are ‘being a burden’ is something we have seen reported from other countries that have introduced similar legislation.
“For many patients, we should be striving for access to high-quality palliative care rather than legalising assisted dying.”
