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Labour MP for Lincoln Hamish Falconer outlines why he backed the assisted dying bill




The Labour MP for Lincoln has explained his decision to support the assisted dying bill, saying that he hopes it will give those enduring unbearable suffering in the final six months of their lives a choice about their death.

On Friday (November 29), Members of Parliament were given a free vote—allowing them to act independently of party lines—on proposed legislation granting some terminally ill individuals in England and Wales the right to end their lives at a time of their choosing.

Ahead of the vote, representatives from across Greater Lincolnshire appeared divided. Critics argued the legislation would "devalue life" and pose an "existential risk to the most vulnerable in our society".

Labour's Hamish Falconer was "nervous" ahead of the result. Photo: Daniel Jaines
Labour's Hamish Falconer was "nervous" ahead of the result. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Despite the controversy, the draft bill passed its stage, receiving 330 votes in favour and 275 votes against after hours of emotional debate in the House of Commons.

See also: How your MP voted in the assisted dying bill

Due to his role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Labour’s Hamish Falconer was unable to contribute to the public debate ahead of the vote. However, he has since described providing terminally ill individuals with the ability to choose how their life ends as "a matter of dignity".

"I voted to support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill," he stated.

"As a Government minister, I had not previously publicly expressed my views on the subject, but I am enormously grateful to all those in Lincoln who took the time to express their view to me.

"Those contributions ranged from medical professionals, bereaved family members, to the terminally ill. Each and every contribution was considered and heartfelt and I am grateful for them.

"I weighed this decision carefully and gave serious thought to the many powerful arguments made by those who oppose the change both in parliament and beyond.

"I was convinced that the law as it stands, and the status quo as it operates, is not good enough; not for the terminally ill, not for families and not for the doctors who must work within it. It therefore falls, in my view, to parliament to change it.

"I hope parliament’s vote will mean that those suffering unbearably in the last six months of their life have a choice about their death. I believe that, in the end, is what is at issue in this legislation: whether to give people a degree of control over the manner of their death when that death looks certain and near."

A poll published by The Times revealed a constituency-by-constituency breakdown of public opinion across Lincolnshire and Rutland.

The data showed that 70.2% of residents in Lincoln supported the proposed legislation.

Mr Falconer added: "In my view, providing someone who is terminally ill with the ability to choose how their life ends is a matter of dignity.

"The terminally ill, whether they wish to end their own life or not, should be able to make this decision themselves – in an informed and considered manner with appropriate safeguards against abuse.

"My vote has the effect of providing parliamentary time for further debate and amendment of the proposed legislation before a final vote on whether to enact it. It is critical that this next stage focusses on two elements. Firstly, implementing sufficient safeguards to ensure terminally ill people are not subject to pressure or coercion about their choice.

"Secondly, that practical provisions are in place to ensure that any legislation can work safely and responsibly within our health service. I was reassured both by those in favour of the bill and by government colleagues responsible for the legislative process that this process will get the necessary time and resources required to engage with those issues.

"I know, and respect, the diversity of opinion about this in Lincoln. As the debate continues, please do not hesitate to write to me about what you believe to be important in the next stage of the bill. On this most sensitive of subjects, I take seriously the responsibility that falls to me as your Member of Parliament, which is to decide how parliament can best serve our city and the people of this country. I believe that is through a change in the law."

Louth and Horncastle’s Victoria Atkins, Rutland and Stamford’s Alicia Kearns (both Conservative), Boston and Skegness’ Richard Tice (Reform UK), Scunthorpe’s Sir Nic Dakin, and Grimsby and Cleethorpes’ Melanie Onn (both Labour) voted in favour of the bill.

On the other hand, Gainsborough’s Sir Edward Leigh, Grantham and Bourne’s Gareth Davies, Sleaford and North Hykeham’s Dr. Caroline Johnson, South Holland and The Deepings’ Sir John Hayes, and Brigg and Immingham’s Martin Vickers (all Conservative) opposed the legislation.



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