Former MP: The assisted suicide Bill is irredeemably flawed — parliament must vote it down

Westminster assisted suicide legislation is "irredeemably flawed" and should be voted down by parliament, a former MP has said.

Speaking after a report stage debate on Kim Leadbeater MP's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Caroline Ansell, Director of Advocacy and Policy at CARE and a former Conservative MP for Eastbourne, commented:

“We are deeply saddened by the vote this afternoon to deny hospices and care homes the right to opt out of facilitating assisted suicides, should Kim Leadbeater’s Bill become law. This could cause some vital services to close their doors.

"Today’s debate compounded concern about this piece of legislation. Some parliamentarians didn’t get to speak to their amendments, and those who did faced a rushed debate in which they weren’t able to elaborate on vital points. This is not how parliament should deliberate on any issue, let alone one of such gravity.

“Committee scrutiny was ineffective. This Bill continues to pose grave risks to victims of domestic violence, people with learning disabilities, the elderly, ethnic minorities, and others. We fail to see how its many dangers could be mitigated.

“In our view, this legislation is irredeemably flawed, and it should be opposed by parliamentarians at third reading – whatever their personal views on assisted suicide are. This Bill is not fit for purpose and should not pass. It’s as simple as that.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) is a social policy charity, bringing Christian insight to the policies and laws that affect our lives.

Contact us: press@care.org.uk