The UK’s two longest-serving MPs and who come from the country's two main opposing parties have united to oppose the new Bill to legalise assisted suicide, which is due to be debated in Parliament next week.
In a co-authored and impassioned <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/20/politics-dangerous-assisted-dying-bill-law-illegal"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">opinion piece</mark></a> for the <em>Guardian</em>, Diane Abbott and Edward Leigh highlight numerous flaws in the Bill as well as the risks it poses to the most vulnerable in British society.
The striking joining of voices from polar opposite ends of the political spectrum – Abbott is a member of the Labour Party and a prominent voice for its more Left-leaning elements, while Leigh is a <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/diary-by-sir-edward-leigh-life-in-parliament-as-a-traditional-catholic/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">member of the Conservative Party and a traditional Catholic</mark></a> – is captured in the <em>Guardian's</em> title choice for the article: "Our politics could not be more different – but we’re united against this dangerous assisted dying bill".
Abbott and Leigh note that in 2015, when assisted suicide was last voted on, the proposing MP Rob Marris published his Bill seven weeks before its first reading. In contrast, MP Kim Leadbeater’s Bill has been published just 18 days ahead of its Second Reading in the House of Commons.
They argue that the current Parliament, being relatively inexperienced with parliamentary procedure – with more than half of its MPs being new – faces additional challenges, as this will be the first private member’s Bill of this session.
They speculate that there “is more than a suspicion” that the pressure groups backing this Bill have sought to take advantage of the new Parliament, and that the “flawed process has been lamentable and wholly unacceptable for a matter of such importance”.
Abbott and Leigh also highlight growing judicial and medical concerns about the Bill, referencing Sir James Munby, former president of the High Court Family Division, and over 3,400 medical professionals who have spoken out against it.
Beyond raising concerns about the timing and nature of this particular Bill, they also critique the broader injustices associated with legalisation of assisted suicide. They argue that much of the support for the Bill comes from “privileged elites who are used to exercising autonomy over every part of their lives and who can afford good-quality social and palliative care”.
But this, they contend, does not reflect the experience of vulnerable minorities who may be at risk of coercion or feel a “duty to die” – echoing <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/be-compassionate-assisted-suicide-statement-of-bishops-of-england-wales-and-scotland-in-full/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">concerns made by leaders in the Catholic Church</mark></a> in England and Wales.
The two MPs conclude by emphasising the urgent need for increased investment in palliative care.
Although the Bill initially enjoyed support from various MPs, such as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, it has faced growing scrutiny in recent weeks.
Prominent MPs, including Angela Rayner, the deputy Prime Minister; Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Opposition; Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats; Wes Streeting, Health Secretary; Shabana Mahmood, Justice Secretary; Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary; Jonathan Reynolds, Business Secretary; and Robert Jenrick, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice; have all publicly stated their intentions to oppose the Bill.
Among the most vocal critics is Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who, as Lord Chancellor, would play a key role in implementing the law if it were passed.
She <a href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/shabana-mahmood-the-disgraceful-treatment-of-kate-forbes/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">told</mark></a> the <em>Spectator</em>: “I know some MPs who support this issue think, ‘For God’s sake, we’re not a nation of granny killers, what’s wrong with you?’… [But] once you cross that line, you’ve crossed it forever. If it becomes the norm that at a certain age or with certain diseases, you are now a bit of a burden…that’s a really dangerous position.”
The Bill was published on 11 November, and the Second Reading is scheduled for Friday, 29 November 2024.
<a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/new-study-counters-government-findings-to-illustrate-negative-impact-of-assisted-dying-on-palliative-care/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color"><em><strong>RELATED: New study contradicts government findings to show ‘assisted dying’ harms palliative care</strong></em></mark></a>
<em>Photo collage: Diane Abbott and Edward Leigh. (Getty Images / file photo.)</em>
<strong>Those who wish to contact their MP to express concerns about the new Bill may do so through an online tool provided by Right to Life UK <a href="https://righttolife.org.uk/ASthreat?utm_source=SUBSCRIPTION+LIST&utm_campaign=66c254348e-euthanasia-leadbetter_bill-20241016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9297ae5f15-66c254348e-163651222"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">here</mark></a>. It takes less than a minute to do.</strong>
