St Ives MP Andrew George voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, emphasising that this merely approves the Bill proceeding to examination and scrutiny.
“This is a good outcome,” said the MP. “I believe the Bill strikes the right and responsible balance. There is no risk of a so-called ‘slippery-slope’. I don’t believe the risk of coercion is likely to be as significant or as difficult to detect as opponents fear, and the option to provide the best support to patients at the very end of their life will not undermine the advancement of palliative care…
“Prior to today’s debate (known in Parliament as second reading), I’ve been holding and attending meetings with proponents, opponents, medical, and legal experts, consulting and reading widely and studying the detail of what is a carefully constructed Bill. I am a member of the Commons Health Committee which has undertaken previous inquiries on this subject.
“I am supportive of legislation which would permit terminally ill people (who are competent to do so) to have the power to themselves decide when and how they die, at the very end of life, and in a manner which protects them from avoidable suffering and indignity. Of course, as well as having the freedom to make such a choice, our NHS must equally ensure people are offered, and have full access to, the best palliative treatment and end-of-life care.
“Today’s vote doesn’t bring the Bill into law. It just permits it to proceed to detailed scrutiny at Committee and Report stages. This could prove to be a prolonged process. As a member of the Commons Health Select Committee I will maintain a close watching brief on the bill.”
