To the residents of South West Norfolk
RE: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
This Friday in Parliament there will be a vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which has garnered a huge amount of attention, both locally and nationally.
The Private Members Bill, which has been brought forward by Kim Leadbeater MP, sets out to allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, in their final six months of life, to be able to request and be provided with assistance from a doctor to end their own life.
First, let me say that I have had a huge number of letters and responses on this sensitive and important matter, and I have read them all. There have been numerous heartfelt stories which have fallen on both sides of the argument, and I am genuinely thankful for people sharing their profoundly intimate stories, many of which where people have experienced unimageable situations of anguish and agony.
I have spent the past few weeks meeting with constituents and sought advice from leaders in the legal, medical, and academic field on this matter.
I have decided to support the Bill.
Fundamentally, my personal belief is that everyone has the right to choose how to end their life. I have long been conscious of the risks, however, and I am reassured that there would be legal protections and safeguards in place.
In addition, I am firmly of the view that assisted dying should not be an alternative to high-quality palliative and end of life care. People deserve dignity in dying, and each person nearing the end of their life should feel reassured and safe in the knowledge they will receive the very best care. I will continue to press for improvements to palliative care and our wider health services regardless of the outcome of this bill.
I know this issue is highly emotive and one that I have not taken lightly.
Our last journey in life is a road that we do not want to travel alone, and certainly one not in unimaginable pain or with a lack of dignity.
I am aware given the concerns that surround the legislation that many people will wish to continue to engage me on the issue and I will be holding surgeries specifically going forwards on the issue if the Bill does pass. You can, as always, contact me by email at: [email protected], or write to me at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
Yours,
Terry Jermy MP
Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk
