Assisted Dying Bill

They should have called it Kill Bill.

 

Yes I can see that. I think I would want to call it a day too if I was in remorseless pain. Its not about me or you though is it? Its about OVERALL whether this enhances things or makes them worse. There will be cases out there that will find this a blessing but there will be times that the rules aren't followed properly, get abused, get manipulated etc.. And then there's the problem of what if someone changes their mind but is too weak to say so. The ability to provide really good drugs to take away pain.... The list of problems goes on. It will be a boon to some, I can see that but there will be flaws here however it finally gets drafted and the flaws will be exploited and some people will be let down. So, on balance I'm probably against it although I agree with the sentiment. I can see why people want it but can see why it worries people.

 

Mine didn’t vote, not sure if purposefully abstaining or another reason. I was prepared to not mind either way, I strongly feel ‘yes’ but would completely accept them believing ‘no’.

 

Great thread, great posts, great to read.

 

Disappointing to see my MP vote against.

Looking at how the groups are made up, it seems some couldn’t throw off the politics. The opposition largely all lined up against, particularly the populist element and the Corbyn clique all rowed in behind him.

Quite shocked to see Farage actually cast a vote. You never know, he might find time to actually set up his Clacton constituent surgery soon.

 

Why do you say its disappointing to see your MP vote against? Surely he/she will have listened to all the arguments expressed in the commons and based judgement on that and personal reasoning. If my MP voted for or against on this I wouldn't say Id be disappointed as such when taking the overall vote into account. I genuinely think this is a rare issue that cuts across party political lines.

 

Because my dialogue with her suggested she’d be voting for.

 

Who's the MP? Does she strike you as a duplicitous sort?

 

Helen Hayes. I was singing her praises in another post given various things I’d flagged and she’s tried to get things improved.

All I can think is something has changed her mind quite late in the day.

As I say though, a little disappointing. I don’t really know much about her and what cliques she may be drawn towards.

 

She's a London Labour MP int she?

 

Having seen a very good friend die of MND at 56 i am happy they have voted this in, it absolutely devasted is body, for the last few months he couldn't even swallow, he was choking on is own saliva and even with care and the constant attention he recieved he lived a horrible, painful last few months of life, there is no cure, he didn't live is last few months with " dignity" he was a man who was as sharp as a tack but was locked in is own body which was broken and he couldn't even lift a finger, he wanted to go even before he became " locked in" I get there will be arguments for both for and against but the only people ( imo) who have the right to make the decision are the ones suffering these vile diseases provided they are sound in mind or have left a letter/ message etc to leave there wishes

 

Yes

 

have you read her statement on the issue?

 

I can't say I have to be honest. I saw parts of the debate, then saw the voting record but I've been preoccupied with inlaw troubles again since yesterday lunchtime. I don't know if she managed to get to speak in the debate either.

Edit, just did a very quick search and saw she voted against in 2015, but 3 days ago hadn't publicly stated how she intended to vote. I won't share her email correspondence as it was said privately and in confidence.

I think overall its the right step to allow choice, so thankfully her vote didn't prevent my preference.

 

https://www.helenhayes.org.uk/terminally_ill_adults_end_of_life_bill_2reading

That's her statement and it makes me understand her viewpoint a little but obviously you know the correspondence you've had with her and while I may agree with her decision (or at least understand it) I completely understand your disappointment if she's suggested different in private

 

Its a well written statement and what I'd expect given our exchanges given her rigour and general candour. Its a difficult one. Because she's hinted at her constituents favouring the bill. And ultimately an MP is to represent their constituents.

I can see why this has been brought to vote in a private members bill, but I wish we could be more grown up here to run referendums properly and truly engage with the public. It's not going to happen, but this topic would have been ideal for a referendum.

 

The trouble with this entire subject matter is people avoid talking about death.
So often people who are terminally ill do not discuss things with family in the way they need to.
Our fear of ceasing to exist is so hard wired into us we all don't want to think about it.

 

But surely - just like brexit - you'd be posing a binary question on what is a complex and multi-layered issue? There would then be - as with brexit - an expectation of implementation without worrying about the huge number of related issues which still need to be resolved (availability of palliative care, opt-outs on conscience grounds for medical staff, funding, the level of judicial input, etc, etc, etc).

 

I suppose its not surprising given it was a taboo subject given 'committing' suicide was illegal not that long ago relatively speaking. You'd hope in time that people can openly talk and share their wishes and death becomes merely a point in the time of a life.

 

I think I must be a bit odd then, I'm completely at peace with it. One day I'll just cease to be. And that's that.