Op piece Romford Recorder and Barking and Dagenham Post July 2025
I joined the throng gathered outside Parliament last month to support the Assisted Dying Bill as it was debated. Others were there to oppose it. It was a microcosm of the debate within the Chamber.
Among the ‘antis’ were devout people of faith, fervently and loudly praying for the Bill to be defeated. They made it clear that medical intervention to end a life is contrary to ‘God’s will.’ For them it will always be sinful. It doesn’t matter how close to death, how excruciating and unavoidable the pain, or how well-informed the patient’s decision.
There was also a cohort of disability campaigners opposed to the Bill. They do not represent everyone with a disability. They were chanting ‘Not dead yet.’ The slogan references a powerful documentary entitled ‘Better off Dead?’ authored by actor Liz Carr. Their opposition is grounded in their belief that the Bill puts disabled people at risk in a society where some say the disabled would be better off dead. This ground is unfounded.
There is much for the disabled to be angry and upset about. They are too often treated with callousness. There are still multiple barriers to leading fuller lives and enjoying greater equality of opportunity with the able-bodied. Poor access to public transport is just one example. The disabled are also still among the poorest and most vulnerable. The Government’s attempt to target disability benefits for savings was met with understandable resentment and fear. Vociferous opposition ultimately led to a U turn. Some disability activists may believe any Assisted Dying legislation represents yet another threat to their right to lead full and dignified lives. In fact, this Bill focusses only on the terminally ill, not on people with disabilities, and includes rigorous safeguards.
MPs backing for the Bill heralds long overdue reform. Supporters are driven by compassion and recognition that the existing state of affairs for the terminally ill is unsatisfactory and inhumane. Many outside Parliament held posters depicting loved ones who they watched live out their last days in unbearable, incurable agony. Others told of terminally ill loved ones who had taken their own lives, suffering alone for fear of criminal consequences, or who made botched attempts leaving them even worse off. None of those I heard opposing the Bill either inside or outside Parliament provided a satisfactory answer to any of this.
Paul Kaufman
Chairperson, East London Humanists
