Health Secretary Stephen Kinnock said he plans to vote in favor of assisted dying legislation next week, calling it a “compassionate” act that would automatically put extreme pressure on NHS palliative care services. argued that it was not.
Mr Kinnock, the palliative care minister, said he did not see a conflict between supporting the legislation and supporting hospices, as his boss, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, had suggested.
He told ITV News: “I'm going to vote in favor of this bill on November 29th. I don't think it's an either/or issue with hospice and palliative care, but in countries and places that provide assisted dying. There is evidence that patients are often improved.'' This is where palliative care comes from. ”
Mr. Street disappointed some colleagues last week by saying he was concerned about the impact on hospice care if assisted dying were legalized and ordered staff to review the costs of implementing the change.
He said cabinet minister Simon Case, who had told ministers to remain neutral and not take part in public debates, had been personally criticized by Keir Starmer for repeated public interventions against the move in England and Wales. was reprimanded.
Mr Starmer, who is in Brazil for the G20 summit, cited his previous position in favor of changing the law the last time MPs voted on the issue, making it the first time ever to vote in favor of the bill. This gave a strong suggestion.
He told the BBC: “I've dealt with this… That's why we have to remain neutral. That's why we have to have a free vote. I've spoken to all the ministers and I always do, but The government's position is neutral. But I don't want to influence or pressure people on this, because I think everyone needs to decide for themselves. It's a problem.
“I worked on this issue for five years when I was chief prosecutor, so I've seen every case that's ever been investigated, so I know what's at stake. And I know how strongly people feel Obviously, people will understand how I vote. I'm going to vote and I've expressed my opinion on this before.”
In an interview with ITV News, Mr Kinnock asked whether he thought Mr Streeting had made a mistake in ordering the department to calculate the cost of the bill and warning it could divert funds from other NHS services. refused questions about it.
“You're asking me a direct question about my position, so I'll answer that for you. From a compassion perspective, I think assisted dying is the right thing to do,” he said. “Hundreds of people a year choose to take matters into their own hands in uncontrolled environments, which is unsafe, inconsiderate and allows them to die a good death in the warm embrace of their loved ones. I also think it's right that people should have the choice to welcome others.”
In recent days, Social Welfare Secretary Liz Kendall has announced her intention to vote in favor of the Private Members' Bill introduced by Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has indicated her intention to vote against it. .
