Charlie Dewhirst, Member of Parliament for Bridlington and The Wolds, has shared that he will vote against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in Parliament, as it reaches its Report Stage and Third Reading.
Following months of detailed engagement with constituents, experts, and campaigners on all sides of the debate, Charlie Dewhirst MP said the Bill in its current form does not provide adequate protection for vulnerable people, with safeguards having been removed as the Bill has progressed through Parliament.
This Bill, brought forward as a Private Member’s Bill by Kim Leadbeater MP, seeks to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults who are expected to die within six months. The Bill proposes a legal framework that would allow people to end their lives with medical assistance under specific conditions. As is customary with issues of moral and ethical significance, the vote is being treated as a free vote in Parliament, allowing MPs to vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines.
Speaking about his decision, Charlie said:
"The volume of correspondence I have received reflects just how sensitive and personal this debate is. Many have shared heart-breaking accounts – from the pain of watching loved ones suffer to the difficult ethical decisions faced by medical professionals. I have listened carefully to these views.
"While I am not against assisted dying in principle, the Bill has emerged from Committee Stage with many of its most important safeguards weakened or removed. In particular, the removal of judicial oversight and replacement of medical safeguards with less independent panels is deeply concerning."
Charlie noted that assurances given at Second Reading – that a High Court judge would assess each case to confirm sound mind and absence of coercion – have also not been upheld in the current version of the Bill. He understands that his position would disappoint some residents, but stressed that his decision was reached after great thought, and reflects the views expressed in the majority of correspondence received by local people.
"No one wants a loved one to suffer at the end of their life. But for many, the choice of assisted dying could be shaped by fear of being a burden. Compassionate care must mean greater investment in palliative and hospice services that uphold dignity without risk", he added.
Charlie Dewhirst MP extended his thanks to the many local people who took the time to share their thoughts with him, and said he remained committed to ongoing discussions about improving end-of-life care. If you would like to share your thoughts on this matter, or receive help on any other issue, please email [email protected].
