Cumbria’s MPs have cast an initial vote on a proposed law to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would make assisted dying legal in both England and Wales for those over the age of 18 who are terminally ill.
MPs across the country voted 330 to 275 in support of the bill – but further debates and votes will be required for the bill to officially become law.
More than 160 MPs made bids to speak during today’s debate, but many did not get the chance due to time constraints.
MPs both in favour of the bill and against it shared personal stories during the debate, which some of Cumbria’s MPs described as emotional.
The proposed bill would allow terminally ill people, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life.
While doctors would be able to prepare a substance to enable a terminally ill person to end their life – it would be illegal for them or anyone else to directly administer it to the individual.
Instead, the terminally ill person would have to take the substance and make the final decision to end their life on their own.
Under the bill, several requirements would also need to be met for a person to end their life. These include:
- Having the mental capacity to make a decision to end their own life
- Being aged 18 or over at the time the person makes a first declaration on their wish to die
- Be a resident in England and Wales and has lived there for at least 12 months
- Be registered with a GP in England or Wales
- Having a clear, settled and informed wish to end their own life that has been made voluntarily and has not been coerced or pressured by any other person into making it. Any individuals found guilty of pressuring an individual or assisting them to end their life would face up to 14 years in prison.
- Be expected to die from a progressive illness, disease or medical condition which cannot be reversed by treatment within six months
The individual must also make two separate and formal declarations about their wish to die and a High Court judge would also have to give the individual court approval to ensure all eligibility criteria and safeguarding measures had been met.
Today, MPs were able to free vote on the proposed bill – which means they did not have to follow any party line.
Here’s how Cumbria’s MPs cast their vote on the bill following today’s debate.
Whitehaven and Workington MP – Josh MacAlister
MP Josh MacAlister has voted in favour of the bill.
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP – Tim Farron
MP Tim Farron has voted against the bill.
Before the debate, Tim spoke on Twitter to say the debate was obscenely rushed for such a big issue but that the quality of the speeches was good on both sides.
He also spoke during the debate and said: “The motives of those proposing the Bill are grounded in compassion—in the heat of this debate, I want to seriously acknowledge that—particularly the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater), who has conducted herself with great dignity throughout.
“Neither side has a monopoly on compassion—I will always be affected by watching my mum suffer at her death at the age I am now—so let us not think badly of one another’s motives; let us instead be courteous and let us be curious.
“My opposition to the bill is grounded in compassion.
“To legalise assisted dying would be to create the space for coercion that would undoubtedly see people die who would not otherwise have chosen to do so.
“There are no safeguards in the Bill that would prevent that.”
Penrith and Solway MP – Markus Campbell-Savours
MP Markus Campbell-Savours has voted in favour of the bill.
Barrow and Furness MP – Michelle Scrogham
MP Michelle Scrogham voted against the bill.
After the vote, Michelle said in a post on social media: “Ahead of today’s vote on the bill I spent a great deal of time listening very carefully to the views of constituents and have had many conversations and email exchanges with people about the issue.
“I have also spent time reading briefings and looking at the evidence presented by both sides. Today, I listened carefully to the often emotionally charged contributions of fellow MPs, from all sides of the House.
“Being involved in this process has been a extremely humbling – and often emotional – experience. I am extremely aware of the responsibility placed on us to get this right – it is literally a matter of life and death.
“This was never going to be an easy decision but whilst I am not opposed to reform in principle I decided to vote against the bill. I made this decision for the following reasons:
- I was not convinced that the bill, as it was drafted, provided adequate safeguards particularly against coercion.
- I was concerned about the burden this would place on health and care providers which are already under considerable strain.
- I thought that this bill only looks at one choice for end of life – and we also need to consider how we improve all choices, including funding palliative care. I was influenced by the concerns raised by Hospice UK and others on this matter
“I respect the views of colleagues who have supported the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which has passed the second reading today.
“It is important to note that we are at the start of the legislative process and that the bill will be further scrutinised, with amendments considered, in the coming months before it will become law.
“I will, of course, continue to engage with that process to ensure that the legislation is strengthened.
“Thank you to everyone who has shared their views on this subject over recent weeks.”
Carlisle MP – Julie Minns
MP Julie Minns voted against the bill.
This story discusses difficult topics. If you are feeling distressed or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123. You can also email at jo@samaritans.org.
