Personal Statement on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
When life nears its end, many of us hope for a peaceful and dignified passing. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Like many, I have experienced the heartache of watching a loved one slowly slip away. This deeply personal experience, alongside my faith, has shaped my perspective on the ongoing debate around end-of-life care.
This Friday, Parliament will vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, one of the most significant pieces of legislation I will face as a Member of Parliament. I have heard many constituents’ heartfelt and often heartbreaking accounts of their loved ones’ final days. While I understand why some support the bill, I have serious concerns about its potential consequences.
A major concern is the risk of terminally ill individuals feeling pressured—by family, by society, or guilt over being a burden—to end their lives prematurely. This creates a dangerous ‘slippery slope,’ where the availability of assisted death might shift from being a carefully considered option to something chosen out of coercion or desperation. Such pressures threaten the dignity and autonomy that the bill seeks to protect.
Another issue is the immense moral and legal burden this legislation places on doctors and judges. They would be tasked with determining whether someone qualifies for assisted death, often based on vague criteria and without clear accountability. The process lacks transparency, leaving professionals at risk of making decisions influenced by perceived wishes rather than thorough assessments. This creates significant ethical and practical dilemmas for those entrusted with these life-and-death decisions.
Implementing such a system would also pose significant challenges. It would require considerable time, costs, and resources, and would likely face legal challenges, adding further uncertainty to an already sensitive process. This could divert focus and funding from improving palliative care, which is where attention should be directed.
In my family’s experience, high-quality palliative care provided critical support, allowing us to share meaningful moments and offering comfort in my loved one’s final days. Such care is invaluable and should be prioritized, rather than risking its dilution through the introduction of this bill.
I believe deeply in the sanctity of life. Decisions of such profound and irreversible nature should not be left to politicians, doctors, or judges. For these reasons, I have made the decision to vote against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill when it comes before Parliament.
