The Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West, Rob Marris, is to bring forward a Private Members Bill to address the issue of assisted suicide. He came first in the Private Members Bill ballot last week. He will, so the reports say, use the Bill pioneered in the House of Lords last year by Lord Falconer.
The proposals would allow patients thought to have no more than six months to live, and who had demonstrated a “clear and settled intention” to end their lives, to be prescribed a lethal dose of drugs on the authority of two doctors.
The report of the news is here:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11662127/MPs-to-be-given-historic-right-to-die-vote.html
Full details of the Falconer Bill are here: http://www.dignityindying.org.uk/assisted-dying/lord-falconers-assisted-dying-bill/
My stance on this issue is well known and was widely discussed at the constituency hustings at the last election but my views are set out here:
- http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-backs-4413760
and in the last parliamentary debate here:
- http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-03-27a.1373.0&s=assisted+suicide+speaker%3A24962#g1432.1
A few key points to add and to note: -
- This is a clearly very contentious issue.
- Private Members Bills rarely get through both houses of parliament unless there is universal support, so I believe that prospects of success are very limited.
- The matter was put to the PM on Wednesday at PMQs: he replied as follows: -
"On this issue I very much agree with my hon. Friend, which is that I do not support the assisted dying proposals that have come out of the other place. I do not support euthanasia. I know that there are imperfections and problems with the current law, but I think that these can be dealt with sensitively and sensibly without having a new law that actually brings in euthanasia. As she says, I think the problem is the pressure that is then put on frail, elderly people to take a decision that they might not want to go ahead with."
Showing posts with label Assisted Suicide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Assisted Suicide. Show all posts
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Sunday, 13 July 2014
Women Bishops and Assisted Dying see the Synod, Parliament and 2 Archbishops debating
Justin Welby is the greatest churchman I have ever met, and an outstanding Archbishop of Canterbury. When you meet him you are genuinely moved. If any Churchman has an aura he has it.
He has two very large issues to confront over the next week: I am strongly behind him on one [women bishops] and against him on the second [assisted dying].
- on Monday the Church of England General Synod debates the thorny issue of Women Bishops, with a great prospect of success at last. I am in no doubt that the presence of female vicars has re galvanised the Anglican faith. I see it regularly both in the churches in Tynedale and daily in the House of Commons, where our vicar is female. The Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin has made a huge difference in parliament. My strong hope is that the Synod will change their view on women bishops.
- on Friday the House of Lords begins the debate on the Assisted Dying Bill. I am told there are over 100 speakers in their Lordships debate. This means they will debate through the night. Justin Welby has made his position clear in today's Times. I also have to acknowledge that this Bill is highly unlikely to succeed in parliament, until one of the political parties has the courage to back it. Single member or Private Member Bills rarely ever pass as they are blocked, are subject to lengthy filibuster or talked out.
However, Saturday's announcement by former Archbishop Carey is a true ground breaker: put simply, Carey has changed his mind. His views are in all the papers - he argues that it is not true Christianity to ignore agony and suffering. As he puts it:
"In strictly observing the sanctity of life the church could now actually be sanctioning anguish and pain, the very opposite of the Christian message of hope."
For those who oppose this Bill I would urge you to read it before coming to a judgement.
The BBC report is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28274531
My speeches and blogs on this issue are easily found: the House of Commons last debated this issue in March 2012: the debate moved me immensely. Read the speech of Paul Blomfield, who is a Sheffield Labour MP, and friend and colleague of mine: his is an amazing speech. Mine is here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-03-27a.1373.0&s=%28%28assisted+suicide%29%29+speaker%3A24962#g1432.1
He has two very large issues to confront over the next week: I am strongly behind him on one [women bishops] and against him on the second [assisted dying].
- on Monday the Church of England General Synod debates the thorny issue of Women Bishops, with a great prospect of success at last. I am in no doubt that the presence of female vicars has re galvanised the Anglican faith. I see it regularly both in the churches in Tynedale and daily in the House of Commons, where our vicar is female. The Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin has made a huge difference in parliament. My strong hope is that the Synod will change their view on women bishops.
- on Friday the House of Lords begins the debate on the Assisted Dying Bill. I am told there are over 100 speakers in their Lordships debate. This means they will debate through the night. Justin Welby has made his position clear in today's Times. I also have to acknowledge that this Bill is highly unlikely to succeed in parliament, until one of the political parties has the courage to back it. Single member or Private Member Bills rarely ever pass as they are blocked, are subject to lengthy filibuster or talked out.
However, Saturday's announcement by former Archbishop Carey is a true ground breaker: put simply, Carey has changed his mind. His views are in all the papers - he argues that it is not true Christianity to ignore agony and suffering. As he puts it:
"In strictly observing the sanctity of life the church could now actually be sanctioning anguish and pain, the very opposite of the Christian message of hope."
For those who oppose this Bill I would urge you to read it before coming to a judgement.
The BBC report is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28274531
My speeches and blogs on this issue are easily found: the House of Commons last debated this issue in March 2012: the debate moved me immensely. Read the speech of Paul Blomfield, who is a Sheffield Labour MP, and friend and colleague of mine: his is an amazing speech. Mine is here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-03-27a.1373.0&s=%28%28assisted+suicide%29%29+speaker%3A24962#g1432.1
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Campaigners lose right to die appeal in Supreme Court - but the judges say Parliament should act
My position on this issue and the need for reform is well known. I have yet to read the judgment but the BBC report is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28016033
I will post more on this issue when I have the chance to consider the many judgments. It is interesting that the BBC interpretation of the 9 Judges decision is: "its right-to-die judgement boils down to a single phrase directed at Parliament: Sort it out, or we will."
It then adds that:
"The Supreme Court argues that MPs have ducked the issue for too long - and it is time they, as our democratically-elected representatives, find the political backbone to amend the law on assisted suicide.
Lord Neuberger, the court's president, clearly finds current guidelines, whereby prosecutors consider criminal charges after a death, to be deeply unsatisfactory.
He proposes a transparent legal channel which would allow independent assessment of a patient's application to die. Lady Hale, an international authority on law and the family, is bolder, saying the ban breaches human rights."
I will post more on this issue when I have the chance to consider the many judgments. It is interesting that the BBC interpretation of the 9 Judges decision is: "its right-to-die judgement boils down to a single phrase directed at Parliament: Sort it out, or we will."
It then adds that:
"The Supreme Court argues that MPs have ducked the issue for too long - and it is time they, as our democratically-elected representatives, find the political backbone to amend the law on assisted suicide.
Lord Neuberger, the court's president, clearly finds current guidelines, whereby prosecutors consider criminal charges after a death, to be deeply unsatisfactory.
He proposes a transparent legal channel which would allow independent assessment of a patient's application to die. Lady Hale, an international authority on law and the family, is bolder, saying the ban breaches human rights."
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Free vote on Assisted Suicide Law Change
The law needs to change: I have long campaigned for a change in the law on assisted suicide. There needs to be very stringent safeguards but I am as one with many Labour collegaues - Paul Blomfield, MP, Heidi Alexander, MP, and Lord Falconer are 3 amongst many who seek a law change. Interesting to see my Liberal colleague Norman Lamb, MP, who works in the Department of Health also advocating a change in the law. The Conservatives cause is led by Sir Richard Ottaway, MP.
The previous debate, and the opinion polls, on this issue is found here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/i-agree-with-sun-we-need-to-change-law.html
We presently have one law for the rich, another for the poor. Noone who has gone to Dignitas in Switzerland has had family members who have helped them prosecuted. Yet such an option is simply beyond the means of 99% of the population. The Telegraph reports a free vote on the change in the law - this is something I would welcome.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10685362/Assisted-suicide-moves-closer-as-Government-allows-free-vote.html
The previous debate, and the opinion polls, on this issue is found here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/i-agree-with-sun-we-need-to-change-law.html
We presently have one law for the rich, another for the poor. Noone who has gone to Dignitas in Switzerland has had family members who have helped them prosecuted. Yet such an option is simply beyond the means of 99% of the population. The Telegraph reports a free vote on the change in the law - this is something I would welcome.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10685362/Assisted-suicide-moves-closer-as-Government-allows-free-vote.html
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
I agree with the Sun! We need to change the law on Assisted Suicide
I have long campaigned for a change in the law - see the Journal article: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-backs-4413760
and the speech I gave to the House two years ago: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-03-27a.1373.0&s=guy+opperman+assisted+suicide+segment%3A21942142#g1432.1
The Sun today has covered the Coronation Street assisted dying storyline on their front pages. The Sun’s headline focuses on recent polling of their readership, showing that 73% of the public agrees that assisted dying should be legalised. There is then a double-page spread on pages 4 and 5 regarding the arguments. Perhaps most encouragingly, the editorial comment strongly states The Sun’s support for Lord Falconer’s Bill:
“MOST Britons believe the terminally ill should have the right to an assisted suicide. It is also where The Sun stands… The issue cannot be ignored… Lord Falconer’s Bill would ensure terminally-ill patients prove they are mentally capable of choosing death, that they have ‘settled’ on their decision and that they have not been influenced by others. These are sound safeguards. The risks of legalisation seem tiny to us compared with the suffering it would ease.”
and the speech I gave to the House two years ago: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-03-27a.1373.0&s=guy+opperman+assisted+suicide+segment%3A21942142#g1432.1
The Sun today has covered the Coronation Street assisted dying storyline on their front pages. The Sun’s headline focuses on recent polling of their readership, showing that 73% of the public agrees that assisted dying should be legalised. There is then a double-page spread on pages 4 and 5 regarding the arguments. Perhaps most encouragingly, the editorial comment strongly states The Sun’s support for Lord Falconer’s Bill:
“MOST Britons believe the terminally ill should have the right to an assisted suicide. It is also where The Sun stands… The issue cannot be ignored… Lord Falconer’s Bill would ensure terminally-ill patients prove they are mentally capable of choosing death, that they have ‘settled’ on their decision and that they have not been influenced by others. These are sound safeguards. The risks of legalisation seem tiny to us compared with the suffering it would ease.”
Monday, 16 December 2013
Should we change the law on the right to die? 9 Judges decide this week
My support for a change in the law is well known. Exceptionally the Supreme Court have convened a 9 Judge court [it usually sits with only 5] to decide 3 separate appeals in this most complex of legal and moral arguments. Noone is saying this is an easy issue, nor am I down playing the incredible work the local hospices do - whether they are Tynedale Hospice at Home, or Charlotte Straker in Corbridge. The three cases being reviewed are well summarised by the BBC here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25363947
For me this argument comes down to 2 simple issues:
- why is this choice to take one's own life, in very specified and controlled circumstances, through the Digitas clinic in Switzerland, something that is available solely to the few? It is only possible to go down this route if you have money. That is the harsh reality. The normal person could not avail themselves of this option unless they had significant wealth. Noone who has gone down the Digitas route has been prosecuted by the DPP and rightly so.
- secondly, to whom does your life belong? I am a Christian, but within the confines of my Christian faith I still believe that a person should have the right to end their life in certain circumstances.
However, my strong suspicion is that the cases will be lost before the Supreme Court, not because the Judges are not sympathetic but because the law can only be changed with parliament's consent, and there is a reluctance for any of the political parties to address this issue, notwithstanding strong support amongst the backbenchers, including myself.
My views, and the opinions of the inspirational Geraldine McClelland, and her friends who are my constituents, are set out here: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-backs-4413760
And the report of the debate on this issue in 2012 is here: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mp-guy-opperman-reveals-days-4413872
My speech in full during the very emotional and powerful day in the Commons last year is set out here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-03-27a.1373.0&s=%28assisted+suicide%29+speaker%3A24962#g1433.0
The entire transcript features some of the best speeches I have ever heard in the Commons, notably by my labour friend and colleague Paul Blomfield, the MP for Sheffield Central. It is worth a read - the Commons at its best where genuine debate takes place.
For me this argument comes down to 2 simple issues:
- why is this choice to take one's own life, in very specified and controlled circumstances, through the Digitas clinic in Switzerland, something that is available solely to the few? It is only possible to go down this route if you have money. That is the harsh reality. The normal person could not avail themselves of this option unless they had significant wealth. Noone who has gone down the Digitas route has been prosecuted by the DPP and rightly so.
- secondly, to whom does your life belong? I am a Christian, but within the confines of my Christian faith I still believe that a person should have the right to end their life in certain circumstances.
However, my strong suspicion is that the cases will be lost before the Supreme Court, not because the Judges are not sympathetic but because the law can only be changed with parliament's consent, and there is a reluctance for any of the political parties to address this issue, notwithstanding strong support amongst the backbenchers, including myself.
My views, and the opinions of the inspirational Geraldine McClelland, and her friends who are my constituents, are set out here: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-backs-4413760
And the report of the debate on this issue in 2012 is here: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mp-guy-opperman-reveals-days-4413872
My speech in full during the very emotional and powerful day in the Commons last year is set out here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-03-27a.1373.0&s=%28assisted+suicide%29+speaker%3A24962#g1433.0
The entire transcript features some of the best speeches I have ever heard in the Commons, notably by my labour friend and colleague Paul Blomfield, the MP for Sheffield Central. It is worth a read - the Commons at its best where genuine debate takes place.
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