Assisted suicide

On 11 September, 2015 I was in the office of CARE’s chief executive, Nola Leach.

Along with colleagues we were praying together as MPs debated the Rob Marris Assisted Dying Bill (No. 2). On that occasion, MPs overwhelmingly rejected the Bill, by 330 votes to 118. Many cited concerns about patient safety and pressure being put on the most vulnerable. That day was a great victory. But advocates of assisted suicide being legalised in the UK are not giving up. Having failed so far in Parliament, they have been attempting to advance their agenda through the courts, while all the time seeking to change MPs’ minds and shift public opinion.

Framing the pole

Meanwhile, the Royal College of Physicians, which is one of the UK’s most important medical bodies, has decided to survey its members on assisted suicide. Before the poll was even launched the College declared it would shift to a new default position of ‘neutral’ on assisted suicide unless a supra-majority of 60% either voted in favour of assisted suicide or against.