The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed its Second Reading today. I support the principle of giving people a choice about how they die when suffering immeasurable pain during the last 6 months of life.
However, I voted against this Bill because there are significant deficiencies in the way it is drafted. For example, Section 12(1) appears to make the role of a judge optional, not mandatory. Section 8(6) appears to allow the Secretary of State to decide that the second independent doctor can be another type of medical practitioner.
Now this Bill has passed to the Committee stage, I will do all I can to work with colleagues to strengthen the wording of the Bill to ensure that, at the least, two doctors and a judge are an absolute requirement and further safeguards are in place. There is no guarantee we can achieve this, which is why I voted against it, but I will do all I can using the best of my knowledge and experience, including as a former family lawyer.
