Assisted dying in UK

One of the most ill thought out Bills going through Parliament at the moment.

Let’s us thank God for Archbishop elect Sarah, and previous Prime ministers David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Theresa May.

I stand agasp that George Carey should dare open his mouth, or Charlie Faulkner, or Esther Wilcox.

We don’t need a world where Harold Shipman or Lucy Letby reign.

I fear for people in care homes and the most vulnerable of society.

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ArishMell · 70-79, M

I realise you would not want an "assisted death" yourself, but you cannot speak for everyone, especially in such a sensitive personal matter.

I suggest you look carefully at your third sentence. It does not say you disagree with those people's views*. It says you are angry that they are free to express views you oppose.

The fourth sentence is so nasty and absurd I am surprised you wrote it - it seems out of character for you.

You might fear for care home residents and "vulnerable" people, but care-home or not there are many who would welcome Nature being a bit quicker, even given an artificial nudge. What matters is that they freely want and choose the nudge for themselves.

(Vulnerable to what? A lot of people throw the phrase about, but it does not mean anything without qualification.)

......

*For others' information:

George Carey: Former Archbishop of Canterbury, quitting after a BBC investigation revealed he had advocated for an alleged child abuser to be allowed return to the priesthood.

Charles Faulkner: Former High Court judge, later a Labour peer (he could not have served in the judiciary at the same time). Often a guest interviewee on BBC radio news and current affairs programmes, he is among Britain's most experienced and wisest lawyers of the late 20 - early 21C.

Esther Wilcox (nee Rantzen, the name by which she presented the social-campaigning TV programme That's Life). Made an OBE for her charitable work, especially helping children. Personal interest in euthenasia, as member of Dignitas. She has come through lung cancer.

peterlee · M

@ArishMell Peoples recollections of Carey, Faulkner and Wilcox may differ.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@peterlee I am sure they will, especially anyone jailed by Judge Faulkner, but that's not important. You disagreed their views on assisted dying, which is fair; but also unfairly condemned their right to do so.

MartinII · 70-79, M

@ArishMell This misses the point. The argument against the Bill is not that there is anything wrong with people wanting to die sooner rather than later, it is that if there is a government scheme to promote this, people who don't want to die will be put under pressure to do so. My own view is that assisted dying is fine so long as it's illegal.

By the way, it's Falconer.

peterlee · M

@ArishMell hyperbole of course, to get the debate going.

Surprised though that Carey and Wilcox support it , as they have faith. And understand the sanctity of live. There can be immense suffering in dying. And I suppose they are advocating compassion. But unfortunately there are too many greedy relatives out for money, and there is always someone in the National Health service to help them on their way. Sadly Shipman and Letby are not unique

James25 · 61-69, M

@MartinII

My own view is that assisted dying is fine so long as it's illegal.

this statement doesn't make any sense. How can it be fine if it's illegal? The statement should be that it is fine as long as it is legal and it is the choice of the individual.

MartinII · 70-79, M

@James25 My argument is perfectly serious and understandable, though at the same time slightly flippant. If someone helps another to die, and it is clear that the person concerned and any close relatives wanted that to happen, there should be no consequences for the person doing the assisting, even though his or her actions were technically illegal. As soon as you have a state-sponsored killing scheme, the objections rightly described by peterlee come into play.

ArtieKat · M

@ArishMell Well said - all good points