This week, MPs will vote whether to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. But, what do people in Cardiff think?
In 2015, MPs representing England and Wales voted against legalising assisted dying. Earlier this year, Welsh MPs voted again, rejecting a Senedd motion towards legalisation.
The topic was decisively crushed in 2015. However, many believe public opinion and medical options for assisted death have improved in the nine years since 2015. Furthermore, several major developed nations have already passed assisted dying bills, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, setting a precedent for England and Wales to follow.
This week, nine years on, parliament will vote again, deciding on a major bill (Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill), proposed by Labour’s new government, led by MP Kim Leadbeater.
Details published last week have outlined the legislation, including confirmation that the medicine supplied to end a patients life will need to be administered by the patient themselves, and that a patient must be terminally ill (due to pass within six months) in order to qualify.
One major spokesperson is Wales’ former First Minister Mark Drakeford. Speaking at Cardiff’s Humanists UK convention, Drakeford outlined his support for UK wide legislation on assisted dying, saying “I believe it is one of the things I would see as a right. I believe you have a right to take control of the way in which you leave this world.” The current government’s Welsh secretary (and MP for Cardiff East), Jo Stevens, also posited her support. Stevens voted for assisted dying in 2015, and will do so again this week.
Others are less in favour, amongst them, major religious figures. Faith leaders across Wales have issued a joint statement against legalising assisted dying, stating: “As People of Faith, we share a common heritage of caring for the vulnerable, the sick and dying. This is why we feel we must speak together against the proposed legislation. Compassion is at the heart of all the Great World Religions… life is sacred.”
We spoke to ordinary people in Wales’ capitol, to ask them their views on assisted dying:
Martin Jones, 78, Retiree
“I think it should be decriminalised… so there’s no legal framework surrounding it.”
Star Hudson, 27, Unemployed
“It’ll stop so many people going to jail for killing their partners, plus if someone can’t eat by themselves, they should have the legal right (to an assisted death).”
Alarik Wilson, 58, Alchemist
“When I become useless, I don’t want to be a burden to anyone, and I think I should have the choice to be put to sleep at my choosing.”
Christopher Parry, 24, Homeless
“To be honest no, cause that’s technically murder… they could get better. Even if they’re dying, they could get better.”
Brynach Battin, 33, Musician
“If you’re in pain or in certain situations, it should be allowed. We think it’s humane to euthanise pets, so it should be humane to euthanise humans.”