Latest news with #BrianMathew
The Guardian
5 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Second Lib Dem MP withdraws support for England and Wales assisted dying bill
A second Liberal Democrat MP has said they have changed their mind over the assisted dying bill and will vote against it at the next Commons stage, in another sign of a wider, if so far slight, ebbing away of support for the measure. In an email to constituents, Brian Mathew, the Melksham and Devizes MP, said that while he had backed the bill at its second reading vote, in April, scrutiny of the plans had left 'several concerns I feel have been inadequately answered'. His announcement follows comments last week by Steve Darling, the Torbay MP who is also the Lib Democrat work and pensions spokesperson. Darling said that while he had backed the bill in April he was now 'marginally against' it, but had not yet decided whether he would vote against it or abstain. About eight other MPs who either supported the private member's bill, led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, at its second reading or did not vote have said they will now oppose it. However, at least two who abstained in April are now supporters, while the Runcorn and Helsby byelection earlier in May resulted in a Labour MP who opposed the plan replaced by a Reform UK one who backs it. Given the second reading of the bill was passed with a majority of 55, the numbers thus far indicate it should also get through the third reading, scheduled for 20 June. A week before, on 13 June, MPs will debate amendments to the bill for a second day. The first day of debates on amendments drawn up during a lengthy committee stage resulted in some changes being agreed, including an opt-out for all healthcare workers from being involved in assisted dying, extending the exemption from just doctors. That debate also featured angry complaints from some MPs opposed to assisted dying after the prominent campaigner Esther Rantzen argued many in their camp were fighting against the changes to the law because of secret religious views. In his message to constituents, Mathew said he had heard 'eloquent and challenging viewpoints' from all sides, and he changed his stance over the bill following the recent weeks of debates. 'I share the concerns of many constituents that individuals facing terminal illness will take the decision based on concerns that they have become a burden upon their family,' he wrote. 'This is a serious concern for me; I worry that in someone's final days, this question will loom heavy when it does not need to.' This was all the more the case, Mathew said, when the palliative care system as it stood was so bad. Speaking ahead of the first day of debates about amendments, Leadbeater warned that if MPs voted down her bill at third reading then 'the conversation ends' on the subject, with dreadful consequences for many terminally ill people. She dismissed the idea that if the bill was defeated, the subject could return as government legislation or a royal commission, noting the long gap between the last time assisted dying was debated in the Commons, in 2015, and her efforts. 'What worries me is, if the bill doesn't pass, the conversation ends, and that would be really dreadful for so many people, for so many reasons,' she said.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Assisted dying vote 'on a knife-edge' as another MP now says they'll vote against new laws - despite previously backing Kim Leadbeater's Bill
Another MP who previously backed assisted dying laws has now said they will vote against the legislation when it returns to the House of Commons. In a recent letter to a constituent, seen by MailOnline, Liberal Democrat MP Brian Mathew wrote that he was 'minded to vote against the Bill' at its third reading. He added that several of his concerns about the legislation had so far been 'inadequately answered'. This included his worry that those who are terminally ill might apply to end their lives because they feel a 'burden' on their families. Dr Mathew, MP for Melksham and Devizes, is among more than 15 MPs to have altered their stance on assisted dying laws since an initial Commons vote. Opponents of the Bill have said there is now a high chance of the Bill being defeated in a 'knife-edge' Commons vote next month. An analysis by campaigners has revealed that only two more MPs will need to move from backing the Bill to voting against it for the legislation to fall at its third reading. At the end of November last year, the Commons backed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by 330 votes to 275, a majority of 55 votes. The Bill, being spearheaded by Labour's Kim Leadbeater, aims to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales - with less than six months to live - to legally end their lives. Despite it initially winning MPs' support, opponents of the legislation claim momentum has now moved against the Bill as it continues its passage through Parliament. The Bill's third reading is expected to be held on either 13 or 20 June, when the Commons will decide whether to approve or reject the overall Bill and whether to send it on to the House of Lords. Lord Stewart Jackson, the former Tory MP and an opponent of the Bill, said: 'It does feel like things have changed in regards to the Leadbeater Bill. 'There is now a steady stream of MPs flipping against the Bill and, if this continues, it looks like it will be a knife-edge vote next month.' Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell said the analysis 'corresponds with the conversations I've been having with many colleagues who voted for the Bill at second reading but are now having doubts'. 'Momentum is against Leadbeater's Bill and there is every reason to believe we can defeat it at third reading,' the Romford MP added. According to the analysis, nine MPs who previously backed the Bill in November have since withdrawn their support - including eight who will now actively vote against it. A further six MPs who did not vote in November have now said they will vote against the Bill, while there are two MPs who voted for the Bill in November but are now undecided. In his letter to a constituent, Dr Mathew said he was sharing his position on the Bill after 'months of conversations with constituents, campaigners, friends, family members and colleagues, as well as deep, personal reflection'. He said: 'At the second reading in November, I voted in favour of progressing the bill as I felt that the committee should have the time and opportunity to scrutinise and improve the Bill. 'Coming to the third reading, I am minded to vote against the Bill, as I have several concerns I feel have been inadequately answered by the report stage, which is when the Bill is re-considered in the House of Commons following the work of the committee stage. 'Although the Bill's proposers and the committee have done an impressive piece of technical work, and I am grateful that my suggestion of the inclusion of a social worker has been adopted, I still find myself asking whether this is enough? 'I share the concerns of many constituents that individuals facing terminal illness will take the decision based on concerns that they have become a burden upon their family. 'This is a serious concern for me; I worry that in someone's final days, this question will loom heavy when it does not need to. 'The intimate setting of bedside care should be a time to be surrounded by loved ones, but this bill risks inviting interference of the judicial process into the delicate and pressing needs of the end of life where many, who will be unlikely to have considered assisted dying, may now face worries from it. 'Additionally, we must be honest, the current state of end-of-life care cannot be described as optimal. 'The provision of hospices across our country is patchy at best, which means that for some, an assisted death might be seen as the preferred option, not as a last resort to be used when palliative care cannot alleviate pain.' Dr Mathew added that a 'properly supported palliative care system much of the problem that this Bill seeks to deal with goes away'.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Calls for upgrades to community hospital as town grows
Melksham and Devizes MP Brian Mathew has taken to the House of Commons to call for increased access to local community health access in his constituency. Speaking in Parliament on April 23, Brian Mathew stood up to highlight his support for 'reversing the delays to the new hospital programme and want to emphasise the importance of investment in community health provision.' Mr Mathew investment into the crumbling state of NHS facilities across the UK, adding that he was urging for improved healthcare in his Melksham and Devizes constituency, especially at Melksham hospital. Brian Mathew speaking in Parliament on April 23. (Image: UK Parliament)Recommended reading: Town council to elect new leader and mayor 'Possible sinkhole' in town being investigated following path closure Long-derelict showroom now on the market after 15 years MP Brian Mathew said, 'There is currently no out-of-hours healthcare provision anywhere in the Melksham and Devizes constituency. Patients typically have to travel to Swindon, Bath or Salisbury for urgent medical treatment or, at best, to minor injury units in Chippenham or Trowbridge. 'Most of the constituency, including Melksham and Devizes towns, has limited public transport options to get to major hospitals; patients unable to travel by car face a lengthy bus journey in most cases. "In Melksham, we already have a working community hospital that offers a range of healthcare services, from physio to consultant out-patient appointments, but it has been without a minor injuries unit since 2008. "On occasion, people in need of urgent treatment for cuts and broken bones turn up at the hospital only to be turned away without so much as a sticking plaster. That simply is not good enough. 'Melksham is seeing ongoing development in and around the town driving population growth, yet we have not seen the investment in services and infrastructure to match. 'I hope very much the department will consider the compelling case for upgrading community hospitals, and I would welcome the chance to meet with the minister to discuss the specific case for Melksham.' The MP concluded by stating that he would be seeking a meeting with ministers, and would bring along representatives of Friends of Melksham Hospital, a group and registered charity seeking to maintain resources and improve healthcare at Melksham Hospital and in the local community. The MP's call comes as nearby Trowbridge sees progress on its £16 million health care centre, which would provide expanded health care resources to those living in south west Wiltshire. The new care centre, which will replace the nearby and reportedly 'outdated' Trowbridge Community Hospital, is expected to open to patients in early 2026. All patient-facing services currently based in the hospital, including the minor injury unit and X-ray department, will be relocated at the new centre, meaning there will be minimal disruption to how patients access care and treatment.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Liberal Democrats become biggest Wiltshire party
The Liberal Democrats have become the biggest party on Wiltshire Council, but have not won enough seats to take overall local elections, which took place on 1 May, saw the Conservatives lose control of Wiltshire after 25 years of power, having won 37 seats Liberal Democrats won 43 seats in the election, saying the future is "golden".Half of the total of 98 seats needed to be acquired in order to be a majority, meaning that no one council has overall control. "I think the future is golden," said Brian Mathew, the Liberal Democrat MP for Melksham and Devizes."Often people often vote against a party rather than for a party if I'm being totally honest," continued Mr Mathew."The Tories have got tired. There's a lot of angry people out there too who are fed up with things generally and I think that's part of the reason."Only 36.19% of people voted on Thursday to decide who should run the local authority which is responsible for roads, bins and adult social care. The former Wiltshire Council leader, Conservative Richard Clewer, who has been re-elected, said: "It's really frustrating to be going from controlling the council that was under control."That was delivering outstanding children's services, all the rest of it. We were performing on every level."It's some cold comfort that if you look at the results across the country we seem to have done better than most other Conservative councils. But that really isn't saying anything at the scale of what's happened."It creates some very significant questions Wiltshire needs to answer over the next few days." Ian Thorne, the council's Lib Dem leader, said several key issues keep coming up when he talks to people in the county."We have to find more money to deal with the potholes," he said."This council is actually under-invested in terms of it's borrowing."We need to look at whether we can take any money from CIL - the Community Infrastructure Levy - and we need to look at other sources."That's a huge challenge and none of this is easy, otherwise it would have happened already."The second big issue is around stopping unwanted development - that may mean a new local plan."Mr Thorne is due to announce his new cabinet at the weekend. Ten Reform UK councillors have been elected along with seven only remaining councillor in Wiltshire is Ricky Rogers who has been representing Fisherton and Bemerton Village for 35 years and counting."I can't thank people enough for supporting me individually," he said."There was a lot of resentment against the government, who they feel are not doing things correctly and not doing things quick enough."And that reflected in their protest."The makeup of Wiltshire Council is now 43 Liberal Democrats, 37 Conservatives, 7 Independents, 1 Labour, and 10 Reform UK.
