Rob Marris MP. Introduced the Assisted Dying Bill
Rob Marris MP Introduced the Assisted Dying Bill

The unholy cause of euthanasia was dealt a blow yesterday as MPs voted three to one against the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Commons.  Here is the Hansard record of the debate.

The text of the Bill is here on the Parliament website.  It is – or was  – a Private Member’s Bill, introduced by Rob Marris MP (Labour – Wolverhampton South West).

Much has been written and circulated about this clear attempt to introduce euthanasia into the United Kingdom, or at any rate to England and Wales.  The arguments were well rehearsed in the debate.

The leaders of all the major faith groups in Britain, except the Hindus, opposed it, according to the Guardian, as did disability organisations and the British Medical Association.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rt Rev Justin Welby took the lead as Jewish, Muslim and Sikh leaders opposed the Assisted Dying Bill.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rt Rev Justin Welby took the lead as Jewish, Muslim and Sikh leaders opposed the Assisted Dying Bill.

For me, any measure which has to use weasel words to achieve its objective is suspect.

Here is clause 4 (1), headed ‘Assistance in dying’:

(1) The attending doctor of a person who has made a valid declaration under section 3 may prescribe medicines for that person to enable that person to end their own life.

‘Medicines’?  Here is a dictionary definition of ‘medicine’:

‘A drug or other preparation for the treatment or prevention of disease.’

Something which kills is not a medicine, it is a poison.  Why not be honest enough to use that word?  Dishonesty always means something underhand is going on.

Fiona Bruce MP observed that something given to kill someone is not a medicine but a poison.
Fiona Bruce MP observed that something given to kill someone is not a medicine but a poison.

Fiona Bruce MP, who spoke at 10:44am in the debate, picked up on exactly that point, the only MP to do so, although many excellent and passionate speeches were made opposing the measure.

The issue of euthanasia, or assisted dying, will not come back in this parliament, and may not resurface for more than a decade. It is eighteen years since it was last debated in the House of Commons.

We give God all the thanks and the glory. If you wrote to your MP, or prayed into this matter, then thank the Lord that you were part of his victory.

 

Here is the record of the vote (note that ‘Tellers’ support the lobby they were counting in.

The House having divided: Ayes 118, Noes 330.

Division No. 69 2.7 pm

AYES

Tellers for the Ayes:

NOES

Tellers for the Noes:

Question accordingly negatived.

 

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5 COMMENTS

        • The mental agony perhaps of being partly paralyzed, not able to think properly, not able to inter-act with their family properly, not able to live their normal lives, being certain to die quite soon anyway, being denied of their own choice in the matter on pain of humane people who would like to help them being imprisoned for it.

          Very few people who would like euthanasia for themselves would force it onto you against your wishes. Stephen. And a great deal of what you write is certainly nowhere near this “curve” .

          • Lots of people have mental agony, Rox.
            Lots of people live less than completely fulfilled, interactive lives, or are unable to think ‘properly’.
            Very many, sadly, like the late Kenneth Williams, say to themselves, ‘What’s the point?’
            If only someone of faith could have told him there is a point to life, and that we are all involved with each other.
            No, however carefully the lovely humane legislators draw the line, it will be drawn in the wrong place.
            You are making the slippery-slope argument for us.
            Thank God our Members of Parliament saw the dangers.