Watford’s MP voted in favour of legalising assisted dying in a House of Commons vote last month.
Matt Turmaine MP was one of 314 MPs who backed the bill, which was passed with a majority of 23.
The bill would allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death. There would be several safeguards, including approval by doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, a legal figure, and a psychiatrist.
Mr Turmaine MP said: “I recognise that there are passionate and sincerely held views on both sides of this debate and held a well-attended ‘town hall’ style public meeting in Watford when we discussed this matter.
“I have followed closely the arguments put forward both prior to and including Friday’s debate and reflected upon constituents’ correspondence.
“Ultimately, I came to the view that if people who are terminally ill, often in great pain and with up to six months to live, subject to stringent safeguarding, wish to end their life, then that wish should be respected and the law compassionately changed.
“None of us can possibly know in advance how we would feel in such circumstances, but previously there has been no other option but for people to suffer. That, to me, is the crux of the matter.
“What this means is that in future, if you do not want an assisted death when dying and have the mental capacity to choose, then you don’t need to have one, there is no compulsion. However, what there is now, is choice for the individual, where before there was none and unnecessary suffering can be avoided.”
The bill will now pass to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before gaining Royal Assent.
Photo: Matt Turmaine
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