Kit Malthouse MP

Lauren Edwards MP responds to the defeat of the assisted dying bill: “This is a hugely disappointing result – not for me but for the many thousands of terminally ill people and their loved ones who were given hope when the Commons voted for this Bill last year. It is all the more heartbreaking for them because support for choice at the end of life is still as strong in Parliament as it was before. The objections raised today were not about the principle of assisted dying but about parliamentary process. The public, who strongly support a change in the law, will not understand why that couldn’t happen because a minority in the House of Lords used procedural devices to block it and MPs baulked at insisting that they do their job. Assisted Dying will come in this country, as it is already doing all across the world, but not soon enough. Parliament has dropped the ball today. It will be picked up again as it must be, because the law as it stands is simply too cruel and too unjust to be allowed to stand.”

Lauren Edwards, who’s bringing back the assisted dying bill, has responded to Andy Burnham’s comments. She argues improving social and palliative care can go hand in hand with assisted dying as per some other nations. She also notes a 4 year implementation period for the bill.