BROMSGROVE MP Bradley Thomas voted against the Assisted Dying Bill which made it through to the next stage in Parliament today.
Mr Thomas expressed concerns about the ethical considerations of the bill, which would see judges compelled to engage with assisted dying cases whereas doctors could be ethically exempt.
The bill made it through in this afternoon’s vote by 330 votes to 275.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 went before the House of Commons after being brought by Kim Leadbetter MP as a Private Members’ Bill.
The bill includes a substantial safeguarding criteria before a person is permitted to end their life, including assessments by two doctors, at least seven days apart. It will also be up to the High Court to decide if the requirements are met.
Although Mr Thomas said the intent of the bill is noble, he didn’t feel there was enough time to scrutinise it.
“I have consistently said that Parliament must progress any Bill carefully, without rushing, allowing ample time for MPs, and society, to debate the issue and ensure that any new Act of Parliament is as robust and legislatively tight as possible.
“By comparison, the fox hunting ban received over 700 hours of Parliamentary scrutiny before becoming law.
“Even at Second Reading, the most significant shift in the relationship between the individual and the state deserves greater Parliamentary scrutiny prior to Parliament voting on the principle of the Bill.
“The Government has failed to commit to allowing substantive time on the floor of the House of Commons and a short Parliamentary debate of five hours is insufficient time for up to 650 Members of Parliament to comprehensively debate and do justice to the implications of what would be our most profound social change in decades.”
“I am not sufficiently content that this Bill meets those criteria and cannot with good conscience support it.
“I want every constituent to know that regardless of whether I have voted in line with your personal wishes or not, my decision has come after many hours of deliberation, over many weeks, including having read every single letter or email that has been sent to me.”
Prime Minster Sir Kier Starmer voted in favour, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves and former prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Among the most prominent MPs to vote against were Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who will now have a prominent role in shaping the legislation, as well as Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, and opposition party leaders Kemi Badenoch, Ed Davey and Nigel Farage.
