Third Reading Vote on Assisted Dying Bill - Statement from Robin Swann MP

Ahead of the vote on Assisted Dying on Friday, Robin Swann MP said:

“On Friday I will be in Westminster voting against this Terminally Ill Adults (Assisted Dying) Bill.

“To change such a fundamental part of how our society views and may treat the most vulnerable, to be facilitated through a Private Members Bill is wrong, MPs will be voting on a Bill on Friday which they haven't seen in full.

“There is also a dangerous narrative coming from those ardent supporters that the House of Lords will fix everything that's wrong, this is a misconception. This bill must be defeated on Third Reading in the Commons and every vote will be critical.

“Although the Bill only applies to England and Wales, it is something that I don't believe should be extended to NI. That's why I tabled amendment 77a to stop aspects of the Bill from applying to Northern Ireland, and why I believe it was important to be there and take part in the debate and vote.

“This Bill seriously lacks any safeguards with disability campaigners highlighting to me that “those assurances are not safeguards but qualifying conditions” and “nor are there real protection or detection mechanisms, for coercion, either forced or subtle.” A significant number of safeguarding amendments have been either rejected by supporters of the Bill. This now means that a doctor can raise ending a patient's life, no matter how vulnerable the patient is, including those with learning disabilities, and that doctors only need to be 51% sure that the patients aren’t coerced and that they meet the criteria to die.

“These medical concerns are further demonstrated by the serious concerns raised about the Bill raised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Pathologists.”