Forum topic: Assisted Dying Bill likely to be challenged by David Burrowes MP

Like most of us I’ve watched news coverage of people, often bereft of speech, who are trapped by either illness or accident in full self-awareness but unable to move. It’s a heart-wrenching experience which puts our own trials and tribulations into a very long perspective.

So for the first time I joined my wife as a guest at the annual general meeting of “Dignity in Dying” which supports and campaigns for the idea that terminally ill people should be able to choose to end their life legally with the aid of a doctor. It turned out to be a very interesting, warm-hearted and well-organised day, but more than that I was hugely impressed by the very large turnout. Clearly this is a very well-supported and active organisation, and many times I heard members – whilst looking round the large crowd approvingly – say how rapidly both membership and turn-out at the annual general meeting are growing.

And well they might, because the issue of who should have control over our lives – whether we should live on in anguish or die peaceably – could touch the life of any individual, not least those of us living in Palmers Green. In my opinion no-one but me should have the right to a say in prolonging my life should I be enduring terrible suffering during a terminal illness. More, this is likely to be an ever-growing situation as medicine advances, and the government needs to develop a framework for doctors to work within.

In fact Lord Falconer – who was Secretary of State for Justice in the Blair Government – has tabled an Assisted Dying Bill in The House of Lords, which seeks to legalise the choice of assisted dying for terminally ill adults with six months or less to live. Possibly it will come before the House this autumn.

Our MP David Burrowes is against a change in the law for reasons that are incomprehensible to me, and both my wife – who is more proactive on this issue than me – and myself have challenged his view. I think others should follow suit to raise the profile of an issue which involves severe personal suffering.

David, Can i introduce the idea of you holding or arranging an information stall at this year's Palmers Green Festival?
I fully believe in assisted dying and i feel more people in this area would also be interested in this subject.

Unfortunately David Burrowes often puts his own personal religious convictions ahead of those shared by many of his constituents.

This has the effect of making him seem prejudiced against certain folk. Women, Gays and Lesbians, etc. That's well over 50% of the population.