Before Friday’s vote on the assisted dying bill, Dame Esther Rantzen’s daughter issued a warning against “scaremongering” by opponents. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill could either become a member of the House of Lords or become completely unintended.
The Bill will be voted on in its entirety for the first time since November’s historic yes vote, when MPs majority of 55-to support the principle of assisted dying for England and Wales.
After more than 90 hours of parliamentary scrutiny, the Bill’s supporters claim the process has been hurried and that it is now weaker than it was when it was first introduced last year.
England and Wales must “catch up with the rest of the world” in changing the law, according to Rebecca Wilcox, the daughter of Dame Esther, a terminally ill broadcaster and Childline founder.
She remarked to Sky News, “We must demonstrate that we are an empathic nation that values choice at the end of your life.”
She insisted that the majority of the electorate wants the legislation passed in light of reports that some MPs who voted yes to it in November could vote no on Friday.
She continued, “We are very hopeful that the numbers (in the Commons) will be available.” We know that the numbers are with us, so we know that people will continue to write to their MPs and say they support the bill.
The Bill was praised as a “really safe, clever piece of law” by Ms. Wilcox, who insisted that its safeguards would prevent it from being used against terminally ill adults beyond its current purview.
She stated to Sky, “It’s a Bill for the terminally ill.” It’s a bill for adults, and it is not extended to anyone else in any jurisdictions where it has been similar to theirs with such stringent safeguards. Its scope has not been expanded. There is no such thing as a slippery slope.
What Kim Leadbeater has brought forward and passed through Parliament is a really safe, clever piece of legislation that will end the cruel status quo that exists at the moment, where people are dying every day in agony.
In response to warnings from opponents about being more vulnerable to being ensnared in a new law, Ms. Wilcox urged people to avoid “scaremongering.”
She said, “Yes, you may be depressed because you have a terminal diagnosis, but that’s not to blame.” You can’t just be down, either. You can’t just have an eating disorder, right?
“And I fully understand that they are desperate to stop it, but if you are desperate to stop it, please don’t exaggerate the truth,” he said. “And this is an example of some of the scaremongering that has been occurring on the other side of the debate. Don’t tell a lie, please.
Rupa Huq, a Labour MP, warned that “assistant dying could be quite attractive” in a “voice of the voiceless” debate last week.
She claimed that despite her best efforts in the early years, she still believes she would have supported a bill like this. “Ten years of being an MP have exposed me to coercion, duress, the millionaire price of London property, and elder abuse.”
Esther Rantzen wants this, she continued, “We are aware of that.” Jonathan Dimbleby is aware of this desire. However, we also have the responsibility of being the voiceless.
When questioned about her mother, who has terminal cancer and has spoken out in support of a change in the law, Ms. Wilcox said Dame Esther is “coping” as she approaches her 85th birthday this weekend.
She stated to Sky, “She’s coping. We’ve been working hard this week, and we’re hoping to get some rest this weekend, especially since she turns birthday on Sunday.
We are so appreciative and thankful for all the time we spend with her, especially now that she turns 85 and is quite gorgeous.
The proposed legislation, in its current form, would allow adults who are terminally ill and have less than six months to request an assisted death. A panel that includes a social worker, senior legal figure, and psychiatrist would be required to approve the proposal.
On the Bill and any amendments, MPs are entitled to a free vote, meaning they can make their decisions based on their convictions rather than their political preferences.
Source: Mirror
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