Our local members of parliament have shared their thoughts and reasons for voting in last week’s historic ‘Assisted Dying’ bill.
Clive Jones, MP for Wokingham, told Wokingham Today: “ In the days running up to the third Reading, many hundreds of constituents wrote to me about this important issue – more than have written to me on any other topic.
“Large numbers wished me to vote for the bill, large numbers wished me to vote against, and a few expressed no preference but simply urged me to attend.
“No decision that I made on Friday could please everyone.
“I considered the emails and letters, and had conversations with constituents, medics and health care professionals, lawyers, fellow parliamentarians, and people who are living with terminal illnesses, and someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one following a terminal illness diagnosis.
“I considered many things when making up my mind which way to vote.
“This debate was making us consider the way that we support those who are in the final months of their lives, and I am glad we are finally having a conversation about this as a country.
“I have, and will, fully support measures to improve palliative care at the end of life.
“Some people have expressed concerns that the scope of the bill could be broadened in the future. This is not possible. The word “terminal” is in the title of the bill, and parliament cannot change that in the future.
“This law can only ever apply to terminally ill adults. A whole new act of parliament would be needed to make a change to, for example, “unbearable suffering” (a term used in some other countries with looser laws), which I believe would be unlikely to have much support in the House of Commons.
“Ultimately, I decided to vote in favour of the bill at third reading, giving people the choice they need.
“This is not the end of the discussion, and indeed that was the major reason for me deciding to vote the way that I did.
“I would like to thank again all those who reached out to me. I know this was hugely important to everyone who wrote to me about it.
“I hope, whether you agree with me or not, you feel I have been transparent with you about my views on this difficult choice.”
Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley, voted against the bill.
She told Wokingham Today: “I voted for the bill at second reading last November, because I support the principle that people who are terminally ill, with less than six months to live, should be allowed to choose an assisted death.
“However, last week I voted against the bill.
“This decision was very difficult for me to make, and I have great respect for my colleagues, across all political parties, who came to different conclusions
“Over the last eight months, I’ve spoken to many local doctors about the potential impact of the legislation, including to palliative care professionals during a visit to the wonderful Thames Hospice.
“I have also spoken to constituents with terminal illnesses, and local faith leaders.
“I want to thank all of them for their time, as well as the many hundreds of constituents who have written to me about assisted dying throughout this process.
“This debate has led me to have stark and moving conversations with constituents, medical professionals, friends and family members.
“It has made me face directly, the huge and avoidable suffering at the end of life that currently occurs in the UK.
“It’s made me even more convinced of the need for better funding of the NHS.
“When this government came to power, the NHS was on its knees. Our government is now taking on the momentous task of rebuilding the NHS after 14 years of underinvestment.
“I’m glad that the ‘Wilson’ amendment to the bill commits the government to undertaking a review of palliative care provision, and I will be working hard to ensure that improving the standard of healthcare, and in particular palliative care, remains a priority for the government.”
In the historic vote last week, MPs approved a bill which was backed by 314 votes to 291.
It will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
