David Chadwick MP – Why I am Voting in Favour of Assisted Dying

On November 29th, MPs will vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading, which if it passes all stages of Parliament will give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their life. 

This bill is a deeply emotive subject and the debate over assisted dying has been ongoing for several decades. With this in mind, I thought I would take this opportunity to outline to constituents how I intend to vote this Friday and why.

Firstly, I should explain that as a political party, the Liberal Democrats are in favour of assisted dying. However, recognising the emotiveness of the subject at hand and the deeply held personal views on assisted dying, our MPs will have a ‘free vote’ – meaning that we do not have to vote along party lines. Sir Ed Davey, our party leader, will be voting against it.

I have decided to cast my free vote in favour of Assisted Dying. This is not a decision I came to lightly and I recognise that assisted dying is a complex and sensitive topic.

My decision has been shaped by several factors including the heartbreaking stories sent to me of loved ones suffering through terminal illnesses before their lives finally ended and my personal experience of having lived in the Netherlands where euthanasia, under certain conditions, has been legal since 2002.

In my opinion, the law in the UK should be changed to legalise assisted dying as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with strong safeguards to make sure that it only happens if someone has made a genuinely voluntary, clear, settled and informed choice to end their life.

No one should be forced or coerced into it.

I believe that people with terminal illnesses deserve to live and die with as much dignity and control as possible. I believe it is wrong that the current law denies people who are terminally ill dignity and choice at the end of their lives, and also potentially criminalises family members who support their loved one’s final wish.  

After careful consideration, it is my view that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would give those facing death the choice and control over how they die to avoid unnecessary suffering whilst also providing strong safeguards.

I passionately believe that this bill is not in any way a replacement for high-quality, properly resourced palliative care. Likewise, we must ensure that carers offering care for the terminally ill are better supported.

Finally, I wish to address the role of faith in this debate. Faith is deeply personal and interpreted in many different ways. I come from a staunch Roman Catholic family, with many of my cousins teaching in Catholic primary schools in South Wales. I understand the Catholic Church’s position on assisted dying and I am sure similar religious beliefs have helped shape the opinions of those against the Bill.

Yet, as a nation of many religions and none, it would be wrong for this debate to be guided solely by the religious beliefs of MPs. Those in pain at the end of their lives deserve comfort and dignity; it is a longstanding Liberal belief that when possible, power rests better in the hands of the individual, not the state.

I want to thank everyone who has contacted me about this vote, from every side of the debate. Despite passionate beliefs on both sides, the debate has been remarkably well-natured, with advocates on both sides acknowledging that although they may disagree, both sides are advocating their position with compassion and good intentions.

David Chadwick. Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe.