EXCL: Stockton North MP shares views on assisted dying
The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill is back in Parliament tomorrow
In an exclusive, A Teesside MP has been giving us his views about assisted dying ahead of a third reading in Parliament.
The Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill returning to the House of Commons for debate tomorrow.
MPs are expected to consider further amendments.
Talking about his views for the first time, Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, said: "18-months ago, my own dad sadly passed away but in those last few days, he was unconscious and we all knew that there was nothing that could be done for him. I really thought that if there had been something that could have been done at that time, to help him pass on just a little more quickly, then I'm sure I would have taken it. But unfortunately, what I saw when the Bill was published that actually it didn't really cater for that group of people, people who are in hospital and may be facing withdrawal of treatment.
"I'm taking in my mind the view that the legislation might well pass and if it does, I want it to be the best legislation that it can be, so something that would provide the best protections. I've listened very carefully to constituents and I've thought very carefully and the conclusion that I've come to is that it would be every difficult for me to support the Bill at the third reading, for this reason of safeguards. I've also heard concerns raised by members of the medical profession too."
Listen to Chris McDonald, Stockton North MP, in full here:
Chris added: "I've had to make my decisions about this Bill just thinking very carefully and the thing that I've been concerned about the most is protections and safeguards, things that will ensure the people who may lack decision-making capabilities, or could be subject to influence perhaps from their family or from the medical profession, would be probably cared for and looked after and I wasn't convinced that those safeguards were there, which is why the first time this Bill came to Parliament, I voted against it at the second reading.
"In relation to my own constituents in Stockton North, I've heard really strong views on both sides and it's been really helpful for me to listen to people so roughly about 50 percent of the people who've written to me are in favour and 50 percent are against, there's no great majority. So I've really thought very carefully about the most vulnerable group in our society and how I can protect them and frankly, that's been the main part of my decision making.
"I realised just how difficult and sensitive an issue this would have been for many people; maybe people suffering from terminal illness, maybe people like me who've lost a loved one recently. I really want to say, from the bottom of my heart, how much I appreciate everyone who's contacted me and shared their stories with me over the course of the last few months. I know that really can't have been very easy for a lot of people.
"Whilst I appreciate I have constituents who agree and constituents who disagree with my decision. I really hope on this case, that this situation that people recognise that I really tried my best to represent the views of local people and come to a conclusion that ultimately, I think is in the best interest of the majority of my constituents in Stockton, Billingham and Norton."
Those against the bill say current proposals are not safe, whilst supporters want to see terminally-ill adults allowed to end their own life.