MP opens up on father's death in emotional Assisted Dying Bill debate

The DUP's Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has opened up on her father's death during the debate on the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Commons on Friday.

MP's voted 330 votes to 275 in favour of a historic bid to change the law on assisted dying in England and Wales. A total of 38 MPs did not vote including the SDLP leader Claire Hanna.

It is important to note though, that this does not mean an immediate change in the law as the bill will now progress to the committee stage where it will be scrutinised and amended before coming back to MPs for a further vote and then it will be passed to the House of Lords, meaning any change in the law would not be agreed until next year at the earliest.

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Speaking during the debate, Carla Lockhart said: "Many of us have been at the bedside of a loved one as they have neared the end of their life a nd that, for me, was on the 11th of June 2023 when my dad's earthly journey ended terminally ill for five years.

"A painful, aggressive cancer yet a faith that sustained him, and a health service that sought to support care, comfort and preserve his life. Consultants and medical staff who went over and above to ensure that he got every opportunity to see his family and particularly his grandchildren grow up. Did I want to see my dad suffer? Absolutely not.

"But equally those difficult times provided us with an opportunity to care for and express a love for a person whose life we valued, the root of my conviction is this life in all its forms of is of inherent worth and value."

Carla Lockhart said that while she was voting against the bill, partly because of her faith, she had listened to evidence from both sides in making her decision.

"Each individual person is of extraordinary value, not because of their capacity, their intelligence, their appearance or for any other reason than they are human. It's right that we should rage against death and suffering and pain as it's not natural," she said.

"But this bill we are considering takes that rational fear to an irrational and dangerous conclusion.

"The answer to the fear of death or dying badly, or even a desire for a good death is not logically to legalise a means of bringing about death in a more efficient or sanitised state-sponsored fashion."

Carla Lockhart added that MPs should be debating about " improved investment in end of life and palliative care and the very best medical or hospice facilities."

"One in four people do not have access to the care they need at end of life. Many are unable to see their GP and get the pain medication they need as they face their last few months a broken system, one which the government has pledged to fix a nd surely it should be a priority.

"Rather than introducing a state service that ends life, we need to debate how to properly fund the health care system we have.

"But this bill halts this and will divert much needed funding for better palliative care into ending life and not preserving it."

To find out how your MP voted on the Assisted Dying Bill, put their name or your constituency into the box below.

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