Up to 30 MPs who support assisted dying could withdraw aid in the next parliamentary vote, MPs said, with many preparing to propose amendments on coercion and the role of doctors.
The committee to examine the next scene The Kim Leadbeater-backed dying bill will begin hearings in the new year, with MPs coalescing around various demands for changes to the legislation.
At the top of the MPs demands for change is that the bill does not allow medical professionals to recommend that they help the dying patients. MPs among former cabinet ministers David Davis and Labor MPs Chris Webb and Mike Tapp – who voted for the bill – asked the council to consider this change.
But that request is likely to put MPs at odds with the British Medical Association, which said it was illegal to hide treatment from patients. The BMA previously told the BBC that doctors should be trusted to use professional judgment in the circumstances.
Several Guardian MPs have told this change that they see the bill moving forward. “I’m happy for him to move forward, but there are so many concerns that I have that before the law is passed,” someone said. “I think it will start at 55” [being chipped away at]. I think I probably passed between 10 and 20 more. And that then begins to make things more difficult for the Lords.
Webb, Labor MP for Blackpool South, said the change was a potential dealbreaker. “About 60% of the 400 residents who filled out the survey strongly support the end of life bill and many of them generously shared their personal stories of how they felt the bill could help their loved ones,” he said.
“I voted out of pity for them and because I believe that everyone is right to the dignity of death.” I believe it is worthy of moving forward on the stage, but I still feel it needs more robust scrutiny and discussion and will consider my approach in subsequent steps as I continue to listen to all perspectives.
“I feel uncomfortable allowing doctors to suggest to patients that they take their own lives and believe that needs to be removed from the bill.”
Roz Savage, a Lib Dem MP who voted in favor of the bill, said it was also a key concern. “I supported the proposal because I believe that people should have a choice, but if it is true that there is a choice, then hospice care should be a viable, affordable, accessible option – and not too many.
“And I very much take the slippery slope argument as it seems to have happened in other countries.” First of all, I am concerned that hospital doctors are not proactively suggesting the option of assisted dying – it should be left to the individual to make that suggestion,” he said.
Tapp told the BBC after the vote that he had similar concerns. “It’s only up for debate if it’s raised by a patient,” he told BBC News. “This helps mitigate the risk of accidental coercion, or the perception of warning, at a time of immense emotional distress and vulnerability.”
Speaking in the room, Davis said the situation was further supported. “The two co-sponsors of the bill have a number of areas that I think should be put right – about a dozen, actually,” he said. “After” ‘Do not resurrect’ block in the Covid crisis, I don’t want at any cost – I don’t want the state to start this process. That’s critical in me.”
A Labor MP, Josh Fenton-Glynn, abstained from the bill’s second reading out of concern for his guards. He said that he intends to propose an amendment to the committee about coercion and custody, because of his experience in caring for and working around social.
“I’ve seen how family coercion works around caregiving,” he said. “I’ve seen horrible things. Any adult social worker will tell you that they’ve seen horrible coercion from people who maybe love the person involved, but they’re fine with the coercion because it made their life easier at that point.
Fenton-Glynn said “there are more risks if you want to donate a kidney than if you approach assisted dying.” He hoped the council would adopt an amendment that would have certain social work in the family matter assessed by the judge as part of the process.
“Our job is to scrutinize the laws, not just say we think it’s good in principle,” he said. ‘I want the right to die for myself, but I’m a middle-class white man who runs marathons, has a university degree and understands the health care system.’ I think we should listen to the disabled who are afraid and with concern for coercion.
The stadium proposal is expected to be completed by the end of April. If too many amendments can be proposed, the bill could be at risk of not passing, because Parliament may run out of time to debate them all – a particular risk with a private member’s bill.