Senedd narrowly votes in favour of assisted suicide motion

The Senedd tonight narrowly voted for a Legislative Consent Motion on the Westminster assisted suicide Bill.

Members voted 28 in favour of the motion, with 23 against.

CARE’s chief executive, Ross Hendry, born and raised in Llanelli, responded:

"We are disappointed Senedd Members tonight ended up backing a motion that would tie their fate to the irredeemably flawed assisted suicide Bill at Westminster.

"It was not that long ago that the Senedd decisively voted against assisted suicide in prinicple.

“The Westminster assisted suicide Bill imposes assisted suicide on Wales, despite there being no mandate to do so from the people of Wales.

“When you consider gaps in the provision of palliative care, social care and disability support, it's clear people would feel pressure to end their lives.

"People across Wales would feel compelled to die out of desperation, whilst unable to access support. 'Assisted dying' would be disastrous for the most vulnerable in our communities.

“The Westminster Bill don't seek to prevent this outcome - nor could it. 'Safeguards' would not mitigate this pervasive threat. There are many compelling arguments against assisted suicide."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information / interview requests: james.mildred@care.org.uk // 07717516814

A Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) is a procedural mechanism which is where the Welsh Senedd gives consent to the UK Parliament passing laws on devolved matters.