Assisted dying

I wrote a letter to a constituent yesterday who was worried that the Government was contemplating legalising assisted suicide. I reassured her that there was no legislation currently in front of parliament ... and then up pops Patricia Hewitt today with her amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill, which is going to be debated on Monday.

I got an email from Patricia asking if I'd add my name in support of the amendment, but only saw it late in the afternoon after the House had risen, so was too late to do so. I would have. I'm in favour not just of ensuring immunity from prosecution for those who travel overseas with the terminally ill to these clinics, but of allowing euthanasia or 'assisted dying' here too. Obviously, as I also reassured my constituent in my letter, we could not go down this path without public debate and very stringent safeguards to prevent abuse, but in principle I'm in favour. The Prime Minister isn't, and I'm not entirely sure why. (And here's an earlier post on this).

More on PMQs

Was slightly surprised today that Gordon said he'd, on balance, always been against assisted suicide. I belong to the All-Party Group on Assisted Dying. I accept there would be a huge need for safeguards, especially to stop people taking the decision simply because they feel they've become a burden on their family, but I remember my grandmother, who died a prolonged and painful death from lung cancer asking 'how long does it take to die?' She'd had enough but had to endure an undignified, drugged-up decline.