Assisted Dying Bill.

 The Assisted Dying Bill, returns to parliament for its third reading, before going to the House of Lords. The first reading was in November and received a good majority. Since then it’s been reviewed in the committee stage, line by line. Needless to say - not everyone is happy with the conclusions, but is it good enough? Various countries have submitted evidence, where assisted dying has been in place for some time.  No bill will 100% be able to satisfy all - stake holders on the complex moral issue of conscience. But are there sufficient safeguards in place to protect the vulnerable? The religious community - in general are against any change in the status quo - is that a good enough argument for not doing anything? I agree with Anna Freud when she asked the salient question “what’s the least detrimental alternative”? I think this - private members bill - is that answer. 

In my opinion, we have discussed this - Gordian Knot, long enough and now it’s time to act decisively and vote in favour of this bill. The last thing we need is a very small majority in its favour. So no ambiguity or ambivalence - vote for this bill. I asked my MP to do just that. Well this afternoon the bill past the third reading - by the following votes: For 314; against 291; there was a majority of 23. It was at times an emotional debate, with many MP’s telling of difficult personal experiences of friends or family dying in unbearable pain and suffering. 

It will now be considered in the House of Lords and any amendments will be further discussed in the House of Commons, before the Royal Assent - thought to be finalised by the summer recess at the end of July. So a momentous day - in the long history of social change in the country. It stands along side legislation that: ended the death penalty, legalised homosexuality, allowed for abortion under certain conditions, legalised same sex marriages and now this. It makes us a more compassionate and thoughtful society. I welcome this change in the archaic law - for me should I need it and for others in my country.