Kirklees councillor speaks out against assisted dying bill

Abigail Marlow

23 November 2024 at 11:00 pm·2-min read

Cllr Ali Arshad (Community Independents, Heckmondwike) — -Credit: (Image: Kirklees Council)

A Kirklees councillor says it is his “responsibility” to advocate for the case against the assisted dying bill spearheaded by Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater.

The proposed law would give eligible terminally ill adults in England and Wales the choice to have an assisted death. The matter has caused much debate, with opinion reportedly divided among MPs.

Closer to home, Councillor Ali Arshad (Community Independents, Heckmondwike) wanted to make his thoughts on the matter known and told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Kim Leadbeater MP’s proposal to legalise assisted dying raises serious ethical concerns. Here’s why I oppose this legislation:

“1. Protecting the Vulnerable - Legalising assisted dying risks pressuring the elderly, disabled, and seriously ill to choose death out of fear of being a burden, undermining their autonomy and worth.

“2. Risk of Coercion and Abuse - No safeguards can fully prevent coercion. Evidence from countries like Belgium shows cases of assisted deaths without explicit consent, raising concerns about oversight and abuse.

“3. Erosion of Trust in Medicine - Shifting the role of doctors from healers to facilitators of death could undermine patient trust and the ethical foundations of medicine.

“4. Focus on Palliative Care - The UK’s world-class palliative care ensures dignity and relief for terminally ill patients. Expanding access to these services offers compassionate alternatives to assisted dying.

“5. The Slippery Slope - Legalisation often expands beyond terminal illnesses, encompassing chronic conditions and mental health issues, with troubling ethical implications. Compassion lies in safeguarding life and improving care, not normalising death as a solution. Let’s prioritise comprehensive support over irreversible measures.”

Addressing some of these concerns in October, MP Kim Leadbeater, said: “It will not undermine calls for improvements to palliative care. Nor will it conflict with the rights of people with disabilities to be treated equally and have the respect and support they are absolutely right to campaign for in order to live fulfilling lives. I support these causes just as passionately.

“The evidence from the Health and Social Care Select Committee report earlier this year found that where legislation similar to mine has been introduced elsewhere around the world it has been accompanied by improved palliative care provision and has not impacted negatively on the lives of disabled people.”

On Friday, November 29, the bill is due to be debated and voted on by MPs in a free vote. If passed, further votes will need to be taken before it can become law.

Kim Leadbeater -Credit:Labour Party/ PA Wire

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