Up to 30 MPs who supported assisted dying could withdraw their support in the next parliamentary vote as they prepare to propose amendments on coercion and the role of doctors, MPs say. It is said that there is a sex.
The committee considering the next steps for Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill is scheduled to begin hearings in the new year, with MPs rallying around several demands for changes to the bill.
At the top of lawmakers' demands for reform is that the bill should not allow medical professionals to offer assisted dying to terminally ill patients. Former cabinet minister David Davis and Labor MPs Chris Webb and Mike Tapp, who voted in favor of the bill, urged the committee to consider the changes.
But the request is likely to put MPs at odds with the British Medical Association, which says it is inappropriate to hide treatment options from patients. The BMA previously told the BBC that doctors should be trusted to use their professional judgment in the circumstances.
A number of MPs told the Guardian they believed the changes were critical to the bill's progress. “I'm glad the bill is moving forward, but I'm also concerned that it will be addressed before it actually becomes law,” one person said. “I think we’ll start with a majority of 55.” [being chipped away at]. I think it will pass with a majority of 10 to 20. And that starts to make the lord's situation potentially even more difficult. ”
Mr Webb, the Labor MP for Blackpool South, said the changes could break up the deal. “About 60% of the 400 voters surveyed strongly supported the end-of-life bill, and many shared personal stories of how they felt the bill had helped their loved ones. “They shared it without any hesitation,” he said.
“I voted out of compassion for them, and because I believe everyone has the right to a dignified death. I believe this deserves the next step, but… I feel that further scrutiny and discussion is needed, and I will continue to listen to all viewpoints and consider my position on the next steps.
“We are uncomfortable with the fact that this bill allows doctors to suggest to patients that they may take their own lives, and we believe this should be removed from the bill.”
Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, who voted in favor of the bill, said that was also a key concern. “I voted for this bill because I believe people should have a choice, but for it to be a real choice, hospice care must be viable and viable. It needs to be an affordable and accessible option, but for many people it isn't.
“And I very much accept the 'slippery slope' argument, as is happening in other countries. I am particularly concerned that health care workers are not willing to make assisted dying an option. “It should not be suggested. It should be up to the individual to make a suggestion or not,” she said.
Mr Tapp told the BBC after the vote that he had similar concerns. “It should only be discussed if the patient raises the issue,” he told BBC News. “This helps reduce the risk of accidental coercion or perceived suggestion at a time of great emotional distress and vulnerability.”
Davis said on the floor that this was a condition for further support. “I'm telling both sponsors of this bill that they know there are a number of areas in this bill that I think need to be corrected. In fact, about a dozen areas. ” he said. “After the 'do not resuscitate' scandal during the coronavirus crisis, I don't want that at any cost. I don't want the state to start this process. That's very important to me. It’s important.”
Labor MP Josh Fenton-Glynn abstained from the bill on second reading, citing concerns about the bill's safeguards. He said he would put forward amendments to enforcement and protection to the committee, based on his experience working in and outside of social care.
“I've seen how family coercion works around care budgets,” he says. “I've seen horrible things. Any adult social worker will probably tell you that they've seen horrible coercion from people who loved the person, but at the end of the day they didn't know what they were doing at that point. It made my life easier, so I forced myself to do it.”
“If you want to donate a kidney, there are more safeguards than if you want to have an assisted death,” Fenton-Glynn said. He said he hoped the committee would take up amendments to ensure social work assessments of family situations need to be considered by judges as part of the process.
“Our job is to scrutinize the bill, not just say we think it's a good idea in principle,” he said. “I want the right to die for myself, but I'm a middle-class white man who ran marathons, has a college degree, and understands the health care system. We're afraid.” I think we have to listen to people with disabilities and people who are concerned about coercion.”
The committee phase of the bill is expected to be completed by the end of April. If too many amendments are proposed, there is a risk that Congress will not have enough time to debate all the amendments and the bill will not pass. This is a risk specific to private members' bills.
