What do Newark people think about the assisted dying bill?

In its weekly voxpop, the Advertiser found out people’s opinions about the assisted dying bill and the fact that Newark’s MP is to vote against it.

The aim of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill states it would “allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life”.

For a person to be eligible under the proposed law, the applicant must be resident in either England or Wales, must also be aged 18 or older, and have the mental capacity to make the choice, which must be signed off by at least two doctors and a High Court judge.

Despite people’s opinions ranging across Newark, the majority of people we spoke to were in favour of the Bill — however, it was described as being a ‘tricky’ one.

“I think it is a safeguarding and people need to make sure that there are the right measures in place if that does go ahead,” said Adrian Hartley.

Kerry Bussell said: “I think you have the right to choose if you want to die.”

Mr and Mrs Russell said: “Have you ever dealt with people who are terminally ill with cancer or dementia? We have, so we are very much for it.”

Newark resident Joe Bass said he was against the Bill as the safeguards weren’t explicit and he believed people would abuse the situation if there were no rules.

He said: “I don’t think anyone should have the power to make the decision on life or death.”

Graham Parker said: “I think people should have a choice.

Heather Parker added: “If people are that ill, I think they should have the choice.”

Friends Linda S. and Jen F. said to be in favour of the bill.

The majority of people who agreed with the Bill had experienced the loss of someone to a terminally ill disease or witnessed pain and suffering from loved ones.

The Bill’s second reading is scheduled for today (November 29), where MPs will cast their votes in the first debate and vote of its kind in the House of Commons since 2015.

Newark’s MP Robert Jenrick wrote a letter to the High Court saying he has “significant concerns” that if approved, the bill will be a secretive process and that a lack of transparency could lead to error and overreach.

He said: “The Bill does not contain basic safeguards one would expect in matters of far less significance than assisted dying.

“Given that this is a matter of life or death, do you consider there to be sufficient safeguards throughout the process?”