Former Southport MP John Pugh Predicts Euthanasia Path for Britain

In a momentous week in which MPs are scheduled to vote on state assisted dying former Southport MP, John Pugh, is predicting that we are only just beginning on long and difficult debate about the government’s role in the death of its citizens with no clarity about where it will end.

* I am pretty sure that MPs on Friday will back the idea of lethal doses being permitted for those with terminal disease and within six months of death, but that will just establish the risky principle that the government can help you die. It's just a beginning.

MPs on this difficult and emotive subject will vote with their conscience, but importantly should vote using their reason too. There can be no rational expectation that this Bill will be the last word."

Last time this issue was debated in the Commons Kier-Starmer spoke from the Labour front bench, supporting the Assisted Dying Bill and John Pugh spoke and voted in opposition to the measure 
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150911/debtext/150911-0002.htm

Commenting John Pugh said -

" There is reason to think that a Starmer led government will give a fair wind to further legislation as Britain begins its journey on the Euthanasia path. Last time assisted suicide was debated in the Commons Sir Keir supporting the bill chose to go on at great and unnecessary length about his sympathetic involvement as Director of Public Prosecutions in cases like the Deborah Purdy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-25724608   and Tony Nicklinson case where people were neither terminally ill nor within 6 months of death.

It was the one and only time I ever raised a point of order in the Commons because of the seeming irrelevance of his contribution but it shows how the issues get confused and where we are probably heading. 

The fact is that there is no good answer to the question of why the state should allow assistance to a person who has a 6 month terminal diagnosis but may face a relatively uncomplicated death and deny it to someone whose live is a living hell, but whose death is just as certain though some way off.     

People's opinions on this difficult topic often arise from their own deeply felt experiences and I make no assumption that my opinions are necessarily right or popular. I personally prefer the further development of the hospice movement to the risks of allowing the state a role in our death. But whatever one’s view, only the incurably naive can think the current Terminally Ill Bill, if passed, will be the end of the matter. "

VIDEO FOOTAGE  https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/407109df-d9e7-4bc7-832a-6312cba22c5d