Assisted Dying Bill: MPs who voted in favour but now voice "concerns" about how system will function need to think harder, says DUP's Carla Lockhart

Actress Liz Carr (left) takes part in a demonstration at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, London, to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. A proposed law to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle after MPs voted 330 to 275 to approve it at second reading. Photo: Yui Mok/PA WireActress Liz Carr (left) takes part in a demonstration at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, London, to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. A proposed law to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle after MPs voted 330 to 275 to approve it at second reading. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Actress Liz Carr (left) takes part in a demonstration at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, London, to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. A proposed law to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle after MPs voted 330 to 275 to approve it at second reading. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire
MPs who voted for the assisted dying bill, only to later voice fears about how it will work, need to think harder before it’s too late.

That’s according to DUP politician Carla Lockhart. A vocal opponent of moves to legalise assisted death who feels the planned laws have “woefully inadequate” safeguards, she argues that MPs with any worries should be opposed to the bill, rather than passing it then wringing their hands afterwards.

The bill, which would introduce doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill people to the United Kingdom, passed its first stage in the House of Commons on Friday by a majority of 55 votes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It still has to come back for another debate, and then go through the House of Lords before it will become law.

MP Carla Lockhart is opposed to the assisted dying bill.MP Carla Lockhart is opposed to the assisted dying bill.
MP Carla Lockhart is opposed to the assisted dying bill.

In the aftermath of Friday’s decision, several MPs who backed the legislation publicly voiced concerns that it could grant doctors the literal power of life and death over their patients – something they said is unacceptable and must be guarded against.

That has Mrs Lockhart questioning why they voted in favour in the first place.

Said the Upper Bann MP: “There were MPs who made it clear they were prepared to see the Bill pass its second reading, but that did not mean they were fully content with the proposals.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I would encourage all MPs to further reflect on the issues at hand, particularly the strength of the effectiveness of the proposed safeguards.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and Rebecca Wilcox (right), daughter of Esther Rantzen, among supporters of Dignity in Dying as they celebrate the result of the vote. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA WireLabour MP Kim Leadbeater and Rebecca Wilcox (right), daughter of Esther Rantzen, among supporters of Dignity in Dying as they celebrate the result of the vote. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and Rebecca Wilcox (right), daughter of Esther Rantzen, among supporters of Dignity in Dying as they celebrate the result of the vote. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

"Given the seriousness of the issue and the major ramifications for vulnerable people, the further stages of the bill will see relatively little further scrutiny,

“If any MP has concerns as the process continues, then I would urge them to vote against the bill when it comes back before the House, rather than have played a part in such a law coming into force.”

In the wake of Friday’s historic vote, some MPs from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats who backed the legislation said they had concerns about the practical workings of it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A frequent concern was the suggestion that doctors could raise assisted death with their patients, rather than the patient requesting it from their doctor.

If doctors are allowed to bring it up, worried Labour MP Mike Tapp, then there could be the possibility of a patient being accidentally coerced or persuaded to go through assisted dying when they normally would not even consider it.

He told the BBC it must be “specifically stated in the bill that medical practitioners are not to raise assisted dying with any patient".

And Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage said assisted dying should be "patient-led, not doctor-led", adding: “It would be very wrong for a doctor, or indeed anybody, to suggest to a person that they should seek assisted dying.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Under the bill, the right to assisted death will be available to adults with less than six months to live, as long as their request is approved by two doctors and a High Court judge.

Although it only applies to England and Wales, most Northern Irish politicians think that if it comes into force, it would only be a matter of time before it is introduced to the province as well.

The only Northern Irish MP to back the bill was the SDLP’s Colum Eastwood. All others present voted against.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1737
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice