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
Showing posts with label Dignity in Dying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dignity in Dying. Show all posts
Sunday, 9 March 2014
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.”
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