During Labor's away day before the last election, the party's candidates debated their positions as parliamentary debaters. The chosen topic, assisted dying, was an intentionally tricky problem designed to test their analytical skills. But just a few months later, many new members find themselves faced with very practical decisions about changing the law.
“I'm going back and forth on this more than I've ever been,” said the freshman lawmaker, who has found himself on either side of the debate in recent months. When the issues are so balanced in their minds, as they are for many people, a single conversation can sway their thinking.
“While campaigning, I spoke to a woman whose husband was unemployed. [syringe] The driver has 12 days,” the lawmaker said. “I can honestly say that this conversation really changed my mind and led me to attend the pro camp. But the challenge for professional people is to convince everyone that this bill is narrow enough. It's just a matter of convincing them. I don't know what I can do to get it done by Friday.”
All MPs are currently grappling with how to vote on Friday's once-in-a-generation decision on the assisted dying bill introduced by Labor backbencher Kim Leadbeater. They talk about being bombarded with pro- and anti-campaign materials and being swayed by personal stories from friends, family, and voters.
But Labor MPs taking part in the pre-election debate felt that discussing the principle of assisted dying had been replaced by assessing the merits of the particular bill at hand. Therefore, he said, he would never be able to prepare for the actual production. “The public will in principle be able to say whether they are for it or against it,” the Labor MP said. “Right now, members of Congress who are in the gray area are asking, ‘How does this work?’ We’re trying to think about it in a practical way.”
Lawmakers across the political divide say they've received a ton of lobbying in their inboxes, but their approaches to reaching a final decision vary widely. Some said they had long discussions with colleagues to resolve problems. Some said they kept their thoughts to themselves.
Freshmen are embroiled in a major ethics controversy just months into their careers, but Friday's free vote on the issue was not easy for some veteran lawmakers. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who joined Parliament in 1997, said he had been thinking about the issue for decades but had only recently turned to supporting the bill.
“I've been a member of Congress for 27 years,” he said. “This has been a recurring discussion every few years: It’s a hardy perennial that comes back.
“Until now I was unsure about assisted dying and opposed previous attempts. Like everyone, I wanted to make sure it was done correctly and that safety measures were in place. I was concerned to confirm. “I've tried to talk to as many organizations as possible. I've read everything that comes into my inbox. I've tried to ask as many questions as possible about the proposals that Kim et al. have put forward. And now, for the first time, I have come to the thought that yes, I support an assisted dying bill. I think the safety measures put forward by Mr. Kim are quite strong. But again, if there's anything else that could be improved, I'd be happy to consider it. But in principle we now think that we need to move forward with it. ”
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Since it is a free vote, there are figures from the political left and right on both sides. Former Conservative cabinet ministers Kit Malthouse and David Davis are among the key supporters of changing the law. The issue is also one that divides even politicians who have almost always agreed. Mr McDonnell will vote for his oldest political colleagues on the left, including Diane Abbott, in the opposition lobby. Jeremy Corbyn has also previously expressed his opposition to assisted dying.
“I haven't talked to Jeremy or Diane yet,” he said. “We'll do it, but it doesn't matter whether we're left or right. It's a very unique position. And again, the fact is that we've come to the conclusion that we can no longer deny people that right. For the past few months.”
Other lawmakers said they and many of their colleagues had clear intuitions on the issue, but wanted to show they were prepared to consider all sides before voting. “Some people feel you are denying basic human rights, others think you are allowing people to commit suicide against God's will,” the Conservative MP said. “We get a very strong and visceral feedback from voters.”
