Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which passed its Second Reading on Friday (29 November) by 330 in favour to 275 opposed.
I am very grateful for all the emails and letters that I have received from constituents on both sides of the debate, explaining how they feel about the Bill and what they think it would mean for both individuals and our society.
The result reflects the deep division in Parliament, as well as society, on this issue with MPs on both sides of the House speaking passionately and thoughtfully both for and against it.
I voted against the Bill and, while I recognise and respect the arguments in favour, I am profoundly disappointed that it has passed this stage. It will now go to its Committee stage where there will be more work on the safeguards and other provisions.
I have deep concerns that the safeguards, as currently written, are not robust enough and that the scope of the Bill could widen with legal challenge. I worry that it could leave vulnerable people exposed to coercion, and that a ‘right to die’ could easily morph into a ‘duty to die’. These and others will be matters for the Bill Committee to grapple with before the Bill returns for its Third Reading.
While the Bill has yet to become law - and there is no guarantee it will - the principle is now in place that Parliament has decided that, under certain circumstances, there should be state provision of facilities and mechanisms to assist people to end their own life. This is a very significant step that has been taken and Parliament has expressed its will.
MPs must now await the Bill’s Third Reading, which is the final opportunity for a debate in the House of Commons on the Bill. I will look carefully at the Bill on its return, but I remain extremely sceptical that sufficiently robust safeguards can be devised to make it fit for purpose.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.
Many thanks for getting in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Fuller MP