Third Reading of the End of Life - Terminally Ill Adults Bill
Today, the House of Commons concluded the Third Reading of the End of Life (Terminally Ill Adults Bill). I voted in favour of the Bill and welcome its passage through this final stage in the Commons.
As always, I am grateful to constituents from Stockport who have corresponded with me regarding this landmark legislation throughout its whole journey through the House of Commons. This has been a challenging and emotional debate, and I remain deeply moved by the many residents who have shared their personal stories with me both in support of and opposition to this Bill. Your opinions have not gone unheard, and I remain grateful to everyone who shared their views and experiences.
As I have expressed throughout this process, my support for this legislation is grounded in a belief in personal freedom, dignity, and compassion. I firmly believe that individuals facing terminal illness should have the right to make deeply personal decisions about how they wish to spend their final days and the autonomy to choose how they will die.
The Bill, as amended, contains strong safeguards to ensure that any decisions made under its provisions are made freely and with full oversight. I believe that this bill is stronger now in terms of safeguards, since the first reading on 16 October 2024. The Bill now includes a prohibition on the advertising of assisted dying services, more safeguards to prohibit initiating discussions about assisted dying with under-18s, and sets out that two independent doctors must separately assess the person’s capacity and eligibility for an assisted death. There are now also strengthened protections for healthcare professionals who object to assisted dying on ethical or religious grounds, with no medical professional to be compelled to participate in any part of the process.
I also want to reiterate that this legislation must not come at the expense of high-quality palliative care and investment in NHS services, which remain absolutely essential. Both should go hand in hand - offering dignity through choice, and dignity through care.
As always I will continue to listen and engage with constituents as this Bill progresses to the House of Lords.
The decision on how I voted has been based on compassion, freedom, and respect for personal dignity at the end of life.