Good morning,

Firstly, I would like to thank the hundreds of constituents who have contacted me ahead of today’s vote in Parliament on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This is a debate where there are varying opinions, and often strongly held ethical and political views on both sides. I am pleased that we have been able to have the beginnings of a national conversation in such a respectful and constructive way. It is also right that MPs have been able to cast a free vote on this subject today, so we could take the politics out of such an important issue.

The Bill will shortly come before Parliament for its Second Reading. After careful consideration, I will be voting against the Bill.

Having read and studied this Bill carefully, I do not believe that there are the necessary safeguards in place to adequately protect the most vulnerable people in society, including the disabled and elderly, who could feel pressured or coerced into making the decision to end their life. It could lead to cases where people choose to end their life, not because it is their own wish, but because of a feeling that they must remove a burden on their friends or relatives. I also have concerns about how assisted dying currently operates in the jurisdictions where it is already legal in some form.

I have concerns too about the practicalities of how the proposals would be delivered. One of the safeguards proposed is for a High Court judge to question either one or both of the doctors involved as well as the patient themselves. However, for example, one doctor may not know the patient and their circumstances well and may not be equipped to understand any pressures that they may be under. This would also be a new legal area for judges to decide on and, at this stage, I do not believe sufficient information is available about how this would work in practice, and I share the legitimate concerns of several senior judges both on the court process and the right to appeal. With court waiting times currently at some of the longest on record, I do not believe that such a process could be introduced effectively at the present time to properly protect those who could be subject to coercion or illegality.

This debate has also led me to reflect about the standard of palliative and end-of-life care in England and Wales. Throughout my 14 years in Parliament, I have championed cross-party work in this field, such as on Hospice and End of Life Care, as well as for Children who need Palliative Care. I have long been concerned over the standard of such care in England and Wales, and in particular, how there are significant variations on quality and access across the country. I appreciate that Ministers in the Department for Health and Social Care have been meeting with stakeholders, such as hospices, to engage with them and understand the issues they are facing. I also support the Government’s 10-year plan to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future and know that as part of developing this, there will be work done to consider the impact of people with palliative and end of life care needs. However, I agree with the Health Secretary that the current palliative care system would not be able to give people a real choice. In my view, addressing these problems is a greater priority, and must be done to relieve the pain and suffering that too many people face towards the end of their lives.

If the Bill is defeated today, then it cannot become law. But should MPs vote to support the Bill today, then it will go through more stages of scrutiny, with amendments to be considered and debates to be had in both Houses of Parliament.

I do not take today’s decision lightly and I do so with respect for the views of all constituents across Newcastle North – and thank you again to the many hundreds of people who have contacted me about this issue.

Best wishes,

Catherine