Lincolnshire and Rutland MPs say how they will vote on the assisted dying bill

Members of Parliament in our area are split over what to do with the assisted dying bill, which proposes granting some terminally ill individuals in England and Wales the right to end their lives at a time of their choosing.

The debate is scheduled for Friday (November 29) with MPs allowed a free vote, meaning party lines will not dictate their decision. A recent poll suggested that constituencies in and around Lincolnshire are strongly in favour of the bill — with a higher level of support here than the national average of 65%.

The proposed legislation states that anyone seeking to end their life must be over 18, have the mental capacity to make the choice, be expected to die within six months, and satisfy two independent doctors that they meet the criteria. A separate bill is under discussion in Scotland.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the person behind the bill, has urged politicians to consider the families affected by the "harrowing deaths" of some terminally ill people.

While some local representatives have not yet outlined their views publicly, others have strongly opposed the bill, arguing it would "devalue life" and pose an "existential risk to the most vulnerable in our society."

Against

According to ITV, at least 115 MPs plan to vote against the assisted dying bill, including Grantham and Bourne MP Gareth Davies, Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Dr Caroline Johnson, and Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers (all Conservative).

We also understand that Sir John Hayes, MP for South Holland & the Deepings, also intends to vote against the bill.

A More in Common poll reported in The Times suggests that this vote would be made despite the views held in their constituencies. In Grantham and Bourne 69.9% of residents are said to be in favour of the bill — with high support too in Sleaford and North Hykeham (70.1%), Brigg and Immingham (72.8%) and South Holland and the Deepings (70.4%).

Mr Davies described the topic as an "incredibly serious matter" and thanked the constituents who had written to him to share their views.

He stated: "I will vote against the passage of this legislation for the fundamental reason that it would devalue life, and in doing so would pose an existential risk to the most vulnerable in our society, while hindering ongoing efforts to both improve palliative care and develop lifesaving medicines.

"Alongside these principled objections, I have practical concerns regarding the ability of our healthcare and judicial systems – even in the best of circumstances – to guarantee that no death would result from misdiagnosis, coercion, or any other form of error or injustice.

"I would in any case have been extremely hesitant to vote for legislation of such significance when it has been published barely two weeks ahead of voting, will be given very limited parliamentary time for scrutiny, and is unaccompanied by a Government impact assessment.

"Matters of life and death must never be taken lightly, and I take this position out of an abundance of concern."

Earlier this month, Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh, also a Conservative, introduced a bill in Parliament seeking to delay the assisted dying vote. His proposal calls for the government to issue guidance on the criminal law surrounding health professionals administering pain relief to terminally ill patients. The bill has been scheduled for a second reading on December 6.

Nevertheless, Sir Edward has also expressed his strong opposition to the assisted dying bill.

He stated: "Assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia have been legal now for years in several countries. The evidence from every single one of them shows there are no safeguards against abuse which last and that the grounds for euthanasia is expanded far beyond what its advocates originally proposed.

"The experience of Canada – a moderate parliamentary democracy like our own – is as chilling as it is clear. When physician-assisted suicide was legalised in 2016 it was strictly limited to the terminally ill. Now, eligibility has been expanded to include people suffering from mental illness and even children.

"To cite just one out of myriad examples, when Canadian Paralympian and military veteran Christine Gauthier persisted in her request for a wheelchair ramp at home, she was told that if she was so desperate for help then she could take up the option of assisted suicide. Vulnerable people like her so often suffer from mental pressures already, and there are no safeguards that can prevent individuals from being pressured or coerced into euthanasia.

"83% of palliative care physicians oppose legalising euthanasia, and only 6% would be willing to participate in helping to kill their patients themselves. If euthanasia is recognised as a right and provided by the NHS, I fear these excellent doctors and medical professionals will be forced out of their field, depriving many innocent people of excellent medical attention when they need it most.

"As a Member of Parliament, I think it is unwise to make decisions that fly in the face of all the available evidence. As such, I strongly oppose and will vote against the legalisation of assisted suicide, while supporting better palliative care for all patients facing difficult conditions or nearing the end of their lives."

For

Rutland and Stamford MP Alicia Kearns (Conservative) and Boston and Skegness MP Richard Tice are among the 160 MPs planning to vote in favour of the bill. However, neither has made a formal statement.

Lee Barron, Labour MP for neighbouring Corby and East Northamptonshire, is also in favour.

The More in Common poll said there is strong support for the bill in these constituencies — with 68% in favour in Rutland and Stamford, 72.8% in Boston and Skegness and 69.9% in Corby and East Northamptonshire.

Mr Barron said: Across our lives choice is at the heart of much of what we do. We choose when to bring children into the world. We choose a university or apprenticeship we want. We choose our jobs and careers. We choose a partner, where to live and when to retire. We can even choose a funeral plan. The one thing we have no say over is one of the most important parts of life. How we die.

“The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be debated by MPs on Friday 29th November. This would make it legal for over-18s who are terminally ill to be given assistance to end their own life. To do so, the individual must be deemed to have the mental capacity to make the choice and to have expressed a clear informed wish, free from coercion or pressure; must be expected to die within six months; will require two independent doctors to approve the decision and a High Court judge to hear from one of the doctors.

“My personal experiences have shaped my support for assisted dying. When terminally ill, my mother-in-law wasn’t able to take in food and water due to the requirements of her condition. After food and water were taken away, she went onto live for over a week, deteriorating massively and experiencing a horrendous end of life. No one should have to experience this.

“In truth I am disappointed with this Bill in its current form. I believe that those in pain at the very end of their life should be able to take the advice of medical professional to put an end that suffering. This Bill is designed to have the strictest possible safeguards, and while that may slow down the process, I believe it takes steps in the right direction to allow us to have the important debate on assisted dying.

”There is concern that assisted dying could target the most vulnerable in society, who feel that they are burdensome on their families. I will not support any Bill that does not guarantee the safety of the most vulnerable. It is important to me that assisted dying should not replace high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.

“Meanwhile, the current law provides no safeguards for the most vulnerable and for those facing a terminal illness. Everyone deserves dignity in dying, and for me this means more than the way in which you die. This also means ensuring those facing terminal illness do not die in poverty and in fear of losing their job. Disgracefully, it is still legal in this country to sack a worker with a terminal diagnosis on the grounds of ‘capability’. Worrying about your job at the end of your life is not a dignified way to die. Most employers do the right thing and protect those workers, but we must come down on employers who don’t. It is fundamentally wrong, and I will be working to put an end to that loophole.

”It is time for change, and that will start by supporting the End of Life Bill.”

Undecided

At the time of writing, Louth and Horncastle MP Victoria Atkins (Conservative) remains undecided.

The remaining MPs, including Melanie Onn, Hamish Falconer and Sir Nic Dakin, have yet to publicly declare their position.

What do you think? How should our MPs vote? Let us know your views in the comments below…