Cumbrian MPs to debate assisted dying bill in parliament
Cumbrians MPs are set to resume debating the assisted dying bill when it returns to parliament this week.
Cumbria's MPs were split on the issue when it was first voted on in parliament with Josh MacAlister (Whitehaven and Workington, Labour) and Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and the Solway, Labour) voting for the bill and Julie Minns (Carlisle, Labour), Michelle Scrogham (Barrow, Labour) and Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale, Liberal Democrat) all voting against the bill.
Opponents to changing the law have argued some people could feel pressured to have an assisted death against their will, and have called for more focus on improving and ensuring equal access to palliative care.
Campaigners who are terminally ill or have watched loved ones die in pain have called the existing legislation 'unbelievably cruel' and pointed out that animals suffering severely can be legally euthanised.
Since the last vote, Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, has brought forward amendments for a so-called 'judge plus' system, after hearing concerns during expert evidence sessions last month.
She has now proposed a judge-led Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission that she said would give a greater role to experts, including psychiatrists and social workers, in overseeing applications.
The commission would be led by a High Court judge or a senior former judge and receive all applications and reports from two independent doctors, which would then be referred to a three-member panel chaired by what has been described as a senior legal figure.
MPs opposed to the Bill said the new proposals weaken safeguards, not strengthen them.
Writing in this newspaper, Julie Minns MP said she could not support the bill.
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'While I recognise the intention behind this amendment, I don't believe it offers the same level of protection as a judicial decision,' said Julie.
'We are talking about an irreversible act, the ending of a life, and I believe the courts must remain involved. I fear this sets a dangerous precedent that could normalise assisted dying without fully understanding the long-term consequences.'
Cumbrian MPs who did vote for the bill have called for the appropriate safeguards to be applied in the assisted dying process.
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