Welsh paralympic champion urges MPs to reconsider assisted dying support

A Welsh Paralympic champion has pleaded with MPs to reject proposed legislation on assisted dying, backing a report that calls the move a slippery slope.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, an 11-time gold medallist, warned changing the law could cause a “seismic shift” in the way the health system cares for people.

Vulnerable

“I urge Parliamentarians to understand the significance of proposed changes to the law and the seismic shift it would cause to the way we choose to care for people at their most vulnerable,” she said.

The proposed legislation is to be debated by MPs on November 29.

“Protecting people is something the current prohibition on encouraging or assisting suicide does well,” Baroness Grey-Thompson said.

“Parliamentarians should be in no doubt that a change to this law would fundamentally alter the political and societal landscape for disabled people.”

Only terminally ill adults with less than six months to live who have a settled wish to end their lives would be eligible under the proposed law, which is being put forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater.

Stakes

The report from Dr John Keown, a Christian ethicist, argued the proposed law could “grease the slope” and pointed to potential extensions to include children or those living with mental and chronic illnesses or disabilities.

Baroness Grey-Thompson’s call was backed by Conservative baron and disability rights campaigner Kevin Shinkwin, who was born with brittle bone disease.

“Precedents in other jurisdictions show that safeguards are quickly eroded, and disabled people become targets by default,” he said.

“We should not be in any doubt: the stakes could not be higher.”

Ms Leadbeater and supporters of the proposed Bill say it includes “three layers of scrutiny” requiring sign-off by two doctors and a High Court judge.

Cost analysis

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has ordered NHS officials to carry out a cost analysis of any change and has warned it could cost the health system more if a new law were to be implemented.

Research from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) found the majority of people support legislating assisted dying in England.

But there are certain caveats linked to the support – including the implementation of safeguards to ensure the service could not be abused, researchers found.

The September survey found that seven in 10 (70%) people in England support a change in the law on assisted dying, and 14% oppose a change.

Favour

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has said she is leaning towards voting in favour of the assisted dying bill.

“I am still considering. It’s a matter of public record that I voted in favour last time and that is where I am leaning, totally honestly.

“But I am really conscious that there are concerns particularly from disabled advocacy groups around and concerns around palliative care so I am considering that. I think this is a really important moment for the country as a whole to reflect.

“I don’t think anybody should for a second think that as MPs we don’t take this decision seriously, and it’s a very very difficult decision that I am weighing up on both sides,” she told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

Asked if she shares Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s concerns about an absence of palliative care, she said: “I think we can all acknowledge that palliative care isn’t in as good as state as it should be so I am listening to those concerns. But I also don’t think this is an either or and that’s why I’m weighing up all those representations.

“I’m very conscious that people have very strong views on both sides and I’m talking to my constituents about it.”