Surrey's MPs on how they intend to vote on the assisted dying bill

On Friday (November 29) MPs will be given the opportunity to debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This piece of legislation would allow terminally ill adults to choose to end their life.

If passed into law, this would be a major change in the UK. In its current form, the legislation would allow those aged 18 and over in England and Wales to get medical help to die. There would be a number of conditions attached including being expected to die within six months, as well as their decision being signed off by two doctors and a high court judge.

While the legislation has been put forward by a Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater, the Government is remaining impartial on the matter, and MPs are being asked to vote with their conscience. Here is what MPs across Surrey are thinking:

READ MORE: 'Every bad death is one death too many' say the Surrey women campaigning to legalise assisted dying

Chris Coghlan - Liberal Democrat MP for Dorking and Horley

"Having witnessed the suffering of loved ones during their final weeks of life, I am naturally inclined to support assisted dying as a compassionate option. However, this is not a decision I have reached lightly. Over the past months, I have agonised over the complexities of this issue, particularly regarding the safeguards designed to protect vulnerable individuals.

"The proposed legislation includes robust measures, requiring approval from two doctors and a judge, and applies only to individuals with mental capacity and a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live. While these safeguards are significant, I believe it is nearly impossible to fully eliminate the risk of self-imposed pressure, where individuals may feel obliged to choose assisted dying prematurely to avoid being a burden on their families.

"A message from a constituent with motor neuron disease has profoundly influenced my deliberations. They described the fear of dying in prolonged agony, gasping for air or choking, and urged me to consider their perspective. This testimony is a stark reminder of the immense suffering this legislation seeks to alleviate.

"I have also considered the views of my constituents as a whole. Polling indicates that 78% of those I represent are in favor of assisted dying, with only 12% opposed. As their MP, my duty is to reflect their wishes, provided the legislation aligns with our shared values.

"In weighing the potential to reduce human suffering against the risks inherent in any legislation of this nature, I have reached the conclusion that the benefits outweigh the concerns. As it stands, I am inclined to vote in favor of the bill."

Will Forster - Liberal Democrat MP for Woking

"I am a member of the APPG for Choice at the End of Life, and I would support legislation to legalise assisted dying.

"I think the stories of people dying in the way they did not want are heartbreaking. If someone of sound mind wants to end their life before their terminal illness does it for them, I think that person should have the choice to end their life without fear of anyone who assists them being prosecuted."

Rebecca Paul - Conservative MP for Reigate

“I have always been open minded on the question of assisted dying. I don’t have any moral or ethical issue per se with a person making that choice. However, like most things in life, it’s more complicated than that. There are many other considerations; and my job is to consider all groups, weighing up their needs and vulnerabilities, in reaching a decision that is in my constituents’ best interests overall.

“Accordingly, I have spent the last month doing a great deal of reading and research on assisted dying, including looking at different models used around the world and considering testimonies from those both for and against the new proposals. I have also read hundreds of powerful submissions to my MP Survey on this topic. I am enormously grateful to everyone who took the time to share their point of view.

“It is undeniable that here in the UK there are a number of people who are suffering at the end of life who would benefit from the option to choose the time and nature of their passing. I have the utmost sympathy for these individuals and their families. It is clear that the act of reclaiming control at the end is something that can bring great comfort in an individual’s final months and days.

“With that said, I do however, have reservations about the introduction of assisted dying; and as of now, these have not been addressed to my satisfaction by the text of the draft Bill. There are no detailed plans on how assisted dying would be delivered in practice, giving me no reassurance that reliable safeguards can be deployed effectively, or indeed that it is even a realistic prospect to further burden the NHS, and our judicial system at an already challenging time.

“My greatest concern is the issue of unintended consequences arising at some future point, commonly referred to as the ‘slippery slope’. I am worried that if we open the door a crack, there will be those who put a shoulder up against it to swing it wide open. Arguments will be made about ‘human rights’ and being more ‘inclusive’ to justify expanding the right to die to ever broader groups. I am simply not comfortable with opening the door to that risk, given the great harms to the most vulnerable in our communities that come with it.

“I am also extremely alert to the concern raised that ‘the right to die’ could all too easily start to feel like ‘a duty to die’. This could manifest as elderly people worrying about becoming a burden on their families, or even upon the NHS. No person should ever choose to end their life out of some misplaced sense of duty.

“I worry too that this is not the right time. With palliative and end-of-life care underfunded and adult social care struggling, assisted dying offers an alternative option that may seem more appealing in this current light. So, before any further consideration is given to introducing it, palliative and end of life care must be properly funded and resourced so individuals have confidence that they will get the pain relief and dignity they need when the time comes.

“I am also greatly concerned about what we are asking our doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners to take on. This was not in the job description when they started their careers in medicine, and I don’t think it is fair to expect them to take on this responsibility, which no doubt will weigh heavily. I have spoken to several doctors over the last few weeks and all oppose this Bill for a myriad of reasons. I find this very telling.

“For all these reasons, I do not intend to support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and will vote against it on the 29th November. Instead of this Bill, I would like to see far more time and resources put towards improving palliative and end of life care so that all those coming to the end of their life can be as comfortable as possible.

“I know there will be many who will be disappointed with my decision, but I do hope this statement explains my reasoning. It has not been easy getting to this point, but I assure you I have given it much time and thought in recognition of the great importance of this vote.”

Al Pinkerton - Liberal Democrat MP for Surrey Heath

“This is an incredibly complex issue and for me seeking to find the right accommodation between the right to choose the circumstances of one's own death versus the risks of coercion is critical.

“One concern I have relates to the risk that terminally ill individuals could be driven towards ending their lives out of guilt or sense of obligation towards their families and carers; or fears of the palliative care system and how it may or may not look after them when the end-of-life moment comes. The shortcomings of our palliative care system are well-known—it is often fragmented and distressing. This makes the timing of this bill all the more unfortunate; as it is inevitably caught up with the inadequacies of a palliative care system that is falling short of expectations.

“I recognise that even the most robust palliative care system cannot eliminate all the physical and emotional suffering experienced by terminally ill individuals. For some, this bill could provide a sense of control, agency and choice over how and when to die. As a liberal, I believe that people have the right to that choice and that agency; but I need to be assured that risks of external coercion and/or internalised fears over the state of palliative care can be adequately mitigated.

“Finally, as this is a private member's bill, I am conscious that it is receiving more limited parliamentary time than a government-backed bill. I feel that this bill will, perhaps more than any/many others in recent times, benefit from serious and sustained scrutiny; something that will only happen if it passes the second reading.

“So, these are the thoughts I'm weighing up as we approach the 29th.”

Jack Rankin - Conservative MP for Windsor

“I have engaged with constituents who are both for and against assisted dying, it is a subject matter which many feel passionately about.

“I am concerned that any change in the law to allow assisted suicide or euthanasia would place pressure on vulnerable and elderly people to end their lives when they feel they are a burden, especially given stretched social care budgets. We have also heard about some tragic cases abroad where pressure is applied by family members to benefit financially, sadly this will happen.

“Furthermore, we have seen what laws permitting assisted dying for terminally ill but mentally competent adults has done internationally: we have seen a very slippery slope. I am troubled by statistics from countries like Canada where the where the number of medically assisted deaths has risen exponentially since it was first introduced. In the Netherlands, physically able people in their twenties are being aided to end their lives for conditions such as depression and anxiety. We would be naïve to think we would not end up in a similar position in due course, should we legislate in this direction and cross the Rubicon.

“I have immense sympathy with those who live with intolerable, terminal illnesses, but the answer must be better palliative care and I am a proud supporter of hospices, like the Thames Hospice locally in Windsor. We must continue to provide support for the incredible work they do, day in day out.

“I will be voting against the Assisted Dying Bill when it comes before the House.”

Ben Spencer: Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge

“While I strongly support the principle of bodily autonomy of people with full decision making capacity, in it’s current form I do not feel able to support the Bill, due to concerns including on safeguarding, resourcing and the proposed framework, and do not believe the Private Members Bill process provides enough time for detailed debate and scrutiny on such a complex and important issue.”

Gregory Stafford: Conservative MP for Farnham and Bordon

Will be voting against the bill.

All remaining Surrey MPs were approached on their position, but had not responded at the time of publication.