Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Tim Farron and Naz Shah

2nd reading
Friday 29th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)]

The motives of those proposing the Bill are grounded in compassion—in the heat of this debate, I want to seriously acknowledge that—particularly the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater), who has conducted herself with great dignity throughout. Neither side has a monopoly on compassion—I will always be affected by watching my mum suffer at her death at the age I am now—so let us not think badly of one another’s motives; let us instead be courteous and let us be curious.

My opposition to the Bill is grounded in compassion. To legalise assisted dying would be to create the space for coercion that would undoubtedly see people die who would not otherwise have chosen to do so. There are no safeguards in the Bill that would prevent that.

[Naz Shah (Bradford West) (Lab)]

Will the hon. Member give way?