By Isle of Wight Observer
We face a real challenge; over 80 per cent of the population want a change in the law to help those dying unbearable and very unpleasant deaths.
Current UK law prevents dying people from asking for medical help to die. People who want to control their death face an impossible choice. We don’t let our pets suffer, so why do people have to? Some travel abroad to die, at great expense, and often earlier than they might like. Some take their own lives at home, risking a painful and gruesome death.
A change to the current assisted dying laws would bring transparency, regulation, and oversight for those in need. Two doctors and a judge would explore a person’s motivations for requesting assisted dying. They would make sure the person met all the eligibility options. We need this choice to help us have a safeguarded, transparent, and fairer system to ensure dignity at the end of our lives.
So why, when more than 80 per cent of us want a change, is this not possible? Because democracy is dead.
I contacted our MP in June 2018 and challenged him about democracy. He had stated in the local press, in connection with the vote on Brexit, “I’m respecting the wishes of British people and I’m respecting democracy. It’s a big day for Parliament and a big day for democracy.” Sixty-two per cent of Islanders had voted in favour of Brexit.
I wrote again, in September 2022, to further push for support, and he responded: “I think, on balance, the stronger arguments are for leaving the system as it currently is. I do not believe that death is either with dignity or without. This seems to be a rhetorical device.” I looked up the meaning of ‘rhetorical’, and here are a couple of quotes from a dictionary – 1: the art of using speech or writing to persuade or influence, and 2: artificial or exaggerated language. Extraordinary, seeing as MPs do it all the time!
I have now found the reason a change in the law is not supported by many MPs. This information comes from an American religious site (healthcareministry.org). It states: “The Catholic Church uses the word ‘dignity’ to articulate the exact opposite view about assisted suicide. An act or omission, which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder, gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his creator.” Another quote says: “Human dignity is cited by the Catholic Church as a reason to oppose assisted suicide.” Bingo – there we have it, the real reason for parliamentary opposition.
Delivering Island democracy? A majority, just like Brexit? Yes, No, or can’t be bothered?
This has nothing to do with politics; it’s about community. Are you happy to be controlled under the current system or do you want yourself, your children, and grandchildren to have the right to a real democratic system? The current system is completely broken.
Dignity in Dying gives us a real opportunity to make our life, and others’, worth living, and our deaths worthy of dignity. We need to pull together to make a real difference on this and many other issues. Please contact me on pm@didiow.co.uk to help make that difference. Teamwork will make the dream work; if not, then we get what we deserve! A continuing increase in dictatorship.
As the Island representative for Dignity in Dying, I recently met Dame Prue Leith, our patron, at the House of Lords. Please go to dignityindying.org.uk to sign her letter for change.