We all bring our own experiences to this most difficult decision. I have not had close relatives who had a prolonged, painful death. I do know some who have seen their parents and relatives suffer and profoundly respect their opinion that they should have been able to end their life.
I believe in plain writing and hope I offend nobody when I explain straightforwardly why I am opposed to assisted dying. I acknowledge that my choice implies that I am prepared to tolerate people suffering long, slow deaths. But I believe this is better than what this bill will usher in. Whatever safeguards are put in place it will irrevocably change how society regards the old, ill, and frail.
It will only apply to people with six months to live. However, doctors are admitting these are often guesses. They will be put in difficult positions by people who, with the best will in the world, will feel it is better not to be a burden on their families any longer.
I have heard moving stories about how families come together in the last months of someone’s life. It is a time for reflection and love.
It was absolutely right for the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to speak out. He is correct in saying we need to improve palliative care which can help with medical and psychological help. Wonderful hospice workers are doing this all the time. I’m afraid this bill challenges their approach to long term care for the dying in favour of an approach which some will regard as more convenient.
I am very concerned about the practicalities of the bill. Our hard pressed doctors don’t need this, and we are talking about lots of people (thirteen thousand in Canada in 2022). Then in each case a judge will have the final word. Are they best placed to decide medical matters? The Justice Secretary doesn’t think so.
It is right that parliament discusses this. It will be at its best as it was when deciding on capital punishment, homosexual reform, and same sex marriages. Discuss it by all means but reject assisted dying.
JOHN PRESCOTT
It is ironic that we are still trying to sort out the messy boundaries of local government. In the North West we have mayor led Combined Authorities, shire counties, unitary authorities, metro districts. Lancashire has 15 councils, Cheshire just two.
If John Prescott’s vision had been supported, we would now have a powerful Regional Development Agency caring for all parts of the NW. An Assembly would hold it to account and a simple unitary council structure beneath. The Northern Way would have had a quarter of a century to deal with strategic issues like rail.
He wasn’t allowed to give the assemblies enough power and the scheme collapsed.
But Prescott had many successes. Helping to end the union block vote, climate change and keeping New Labour in touch with its grass roots.
He was suspicious of the media. He refused to do an agreed interview with me in Chester once because I filmed people protesting against him. However, that was a small point set against his vision for how England should have been governed.
