‘This is a really heavy responsibility’: The assisted dying debate and the views of Middlesbrough’s MPs

Middlesbrough’s two MPs and voices both for and against assisted dying have given their thoughts ahead of a potentially landmark vote at the end of the month.

MPs in the House of Commons will vote on November 29 on whether to progress with a bill, which aims to “allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life; and for connected purposes.”

The vote at the end of the month is known as the bill’s second reading, meaning that even if it passes in the House of Commons, there is a lengthy process in parliament before the bill potentially becomes law.

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Middlesbrough ’s two MPs shared their thoughts with the Local Democracy Reporting Service as well as interested parties in the North East, on both sides of the debate.

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald outlined his thoughts on assisted dying. He said: “This is a really heavy responsibility. My thinking, like a lot of people, is constantly evolving and developing as I read and learn more.”

He highlighted the “concerns” surrounding potential future expansion of the law as well as the current “horrors” of people “starving themselves to death” to avoid implicating family members in helping to bring their lives to an end. Mr McDonald was also concerned about people thinking that they are a "burden".

“One of the many troubling issues in this debate is the issue of autonomy. It is an important principle that people should not be restricted in terms of the decisions they make for themselves.”

He also discussed the issue of palliative care availability. “Now, we have a wonderful facility locally at Teesside Hospice. It is quite remarkable, and they do immense work, way beyond end-of-life care.” He said that his family had seen first hand “just how magnificent and beautiful” the end-of-life care is at Teesside Hospice.

“Ultimately, we need to have satisfactory assurances about the level of palliative care because we don’t want assisted dying, if it comes to fruition, to be the alternative to [palliative care]. We’re in a very dangerous place if that were to happen.” Mr McDonald added: “That palliative care sits in the charitable sector and not mainstream NHS concerns me.”

He said he is going to listen “very carefully to the debate” and that he would look through the bill “line by line”. Mr McDonald concluded: “My job is to come to a judgement, and I haven’t quite come to that yet.”

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, Luke Myer, said that the matter of assisted dying requires “careful and compassionate consideration. It’s essential to respect individual choice while ensuring there are robust safeguards in place to prevent any undue influence on those making end-of-life decisions.”

He explained that the matter was one of “personal conscience” and he would listen to his constituents and colleagues to ensure “dignity and respect for all involved”.

He said: “I do believe that mentally competent adults facing terminal illness should have the right to make their own choices about how they approach the end of life, but I also feel strongly that there must be stringent protections in place.”

Mr Myer added: “While I intend to vote in favour of opening up this debate, I will be reviewing the details of the proposed Bill carefully at each stage to ensure that these safeguards are in place before making a final decision. As we discuss this issue, I believe it is also vital that high-quality palliative care remains a priority, so everyone nearing life’s end feels supported and treated with dignity.”

There are firmly held beliefs on both sides of the debate in the North East. Monsignor Gerard Robinson, Vicar General of the Diocese of Middlesbrough said: “We understand that this is a difficult and extremely sensitive issue, with sincere and deeply held views on all sides. However, as a Christian community, we firmly believe that life is a precious gift from God and that people nearing the end of life should be offered care, love and support.

He argued that the legislation that has been proposed “threatens the sanctity of life” and wanted the Catholic community to help to prevent the bill becoming law.

He added: “Bishop Terry has written to all our priests asking them to encourage parishioners to contact their MPs, using postcards from disability campaign group Not Dead Yet, and ask them to vote against the bill. At the same time, we pray for everyone coming to the end of life that they should be given the love and help they need to live out their final days with dignity.”

Meanwhile in Tyneside, Naomi Craven is a proponent of assisted dying. She explained her father, Ray Craven, was diagnosed with a “very debilitating” form of Motor Neurone Disease in 2020 and he came to the conclusion he “wanted to pursue an assisted death”.

“What followed was months of leaping through (absolutely necessary and very reassuring) loopholes to get to Dignitas”, Ms Craven explained. “My dad died a beautiful dignified death” but was unable to do so in the “city he loved”.

She says she’s “pleased” MPs are having the opportunity to debate it. “Public opinion on this has shifted significantly since this was last discussed in parliament, and with a recent poll showing 75% of the population now in favour, I think the time for change has come.”

Ms Craven added: “I welcome the Bill which is being introduced into parliament, and has a range of checks and balances in place. Everyone has the right to live their life in the way they choose, and the same should be in place for death – this is not an either / or between high quality palliative care and the option of an assisted death, and different things will be right for different people. Let us choose.”

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