Assisted Dying

[Miss polar]

Leadbeater has indicated that feeling a burden could be a legitimate reason to want to end your life. She’s an absolute disgrace.
She has repeatedly dismissed concerns about people being coerced as not relevant. I
Do t know what her motives are, but she’s not to be trusted.

 

[Foxvint]

The problem with that is, if I felt like a burden to my husband or kids, that'd be a perfectly valid reason for me. We all have different expectations from family so I'm not saying it should be valid right across the board for everyone but the idea of someone not wanting to be a burden is perfectly acceptable to me. There's a limit on the care we can expect from our loved ones.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

The problem with that is, if I felt like a burden to my husband or kids, that'd be a perfectly valid reason for me. We all have different expectations from family so I'm not saying it should be valid right across the board for everyone but the idea of someone not wanting to be a burden is perfectly acceptable to me. There's a limit on the care we can expect from our loved ones.

I agree and also the possible financial burden, if I'm suffering and it also is expensive to care for me I'd rather my family use the money than just keeping me alive when I wouldn't want to be alive anyway

 

[Miss polar]

I find that quite chilling tbh. Not going to engage any more with this!

 

[Lizzie Mintdrop]

For me, the burden issue is the same as when pro lifers say how would you feel if your mother had aborted you. The answer is, I love my mum so much that I'd never want my existence to ruin her life so if she hadn't wanted me I'd prefer her to have aborted me. If feel I'm a burden to my family, that's coming from a place of love, I love them, I don't want my existence (and it would be an existence not a life if I wanted to die or was terminally ill) to ruin their lives. I know they'd want to care for me but seeing me in pain and dying would ruin their lives

 

[Foxvint]

It's the same lack of reasoning and hysteria we saw during the pandemic to me. Ppl frothing at the mouth online that nanna who's reached a grand old age wouldn't be prioritised if a decision had to be made on who gets a scarce intensive care bed. My kids lives are more important than mine because they've had less of it. Your kids lives are more important than mine cos they've had less of it. This is not remotely controversial to me.

 

[Rosie878]

I have two very conflicting views:
1) one of the strongest arguments I've heard for assisted dying was Tony Nicklinson, an MND sufferer. Under this bill, he wouldn't have been eligible and therefore I feel it doesn't help those in the worst circumstances.
2) The law will be passed and I am 90% sure it will be further loosened to allow the above. Where will the line be drawn? Will it ever be drawn. It could possibly spawn an entire industry. People will feel compelled to die earlier than they wish in some cases due to financial pressures, feeling like a burden etc. I feel very uncomfortable about this.

 

[Fishwife]

I am a retired nurse and am now reaching an age when these issues might become personal. I worked in nursing homes and looked after some patients who no longer felt their lives were worth living. I remember one lady who had lost the ability to walk and was gradually loosing the ability to use her arms. She refused antibiotics to treat pneumonia knowing that she would likely die as a result. Her death was slow and painful and very distressing for both her family and for the staff. She would not have qualified for help under this legislation as she was not terminally ill.
If I was terminally ill I would not choose a slow and painful death. I would also not want to cause unnecessary distress to my children. I would be willing to have those sort of conversations with them. A lot of people seem to not understand the difference between having a disability and being terminally ill.

 

[Foxvint]

I thought Diane Abbotts speech against it was really strong. I think concerns about the fascist adjacent concept of who gets to matter are entirely valid but i find you really can't predict where ppl stand on this by knowing where they stand on something else.

 

[Miss polar]

Looked back on this thread against my better judgment, but heartened to see at least some voices of doubts!

According to experts in palletive care, that system is now going to see a diversion of resources away from it, and excuse for not funding it, as now there’s the option of assisted dying!
I really fear for people being coerced, especially the disabled, and non verbal.
I do t get upset easily, but this really felt like a terrible decision to pass this bill.
The fact that Rantzen is behind it( friend and defender of saville) and her overbearing daughter, and the opportunist Leadbeater leaves a really sour taste in my mouth!

 

[bluefoot]

I agree. It’s not going to be a fair choice if alternative decent palliative care and support isn’t there. Newsflash: it already isn’t.

I find some of the pro views being aired here and on the uk politics thread now totally abhorrent. Some people seem to find it quite easy to decide whose lives they consider more or less valuable. That’s the culture this law will come into.

I already feel the world inc the UK is on a very dangerous path. I feel this even more now.

I’m not even religious so that’s not what’s driving my views here.

 

[Miss polar]

I couldn’t agree more. Already people are becoming emboldened talking about it. It’s pretty scary stuff!
I want to know who is behind the funding and promoting of this bill!
Apparently Starmer is a friend of Rantzen, and promised her he would push it forward.

 

[Foxvint]

It's important to hear all sides on important issues so we're not in an echo chamber. Ofc no one's obliged to post if they're not comfortable but likewise discomfort isn't a great reason to avoid discussion. That's how the world ends up with things like shock election results. If our views can't take daylight, prodding and opposing arguments they aren't up to much.

I didn't consider the above about palliative care so I've already learnt something here.

 

[Piff paff puff]

Looked back on this thread against my better judgment, but heartened to see at least some voices of doubts!

According to experts in palletive care, that system is now going to see a diversion of resources away from it, and excuse for not funding it, as now there’s the option of assisted dying!
I really fear for people being coerced, especially the disabled, and non verbal.
I do t get upset easily, but this really felt like a terrible decision to pass this bill.
The fact that Rantzen is behind it( friend and defender of saville) and her overbearing daughter, and the opportunist Leadbeater leaves a really sour taste in my mouth!

Went off Rantzen when she said anyone who didn't want a covid jab should be left to die. I also echo your thoughts on Leadbeater and the over bearing daughter. They all give me an unsettling feeling in that they could turn very nasty when they don't get their own way and ofc their way is always right and as such we don't need to listen to any opposing views. I have mixed feelings about euthanasia and seeing these type of people advocating it makes me want to keep the law as it is though that most definitely isn't the only reason.

 

[Miss polar]

I wonder how many people on this thread championing assisted dying are going to be happy when the NHS has to divert funds away from other treatments and resources!
Also, how many will be happy when the courts system is clogged up by judges having to rule on cases of people wanting to take this option.
Personally, I want the courts to deal with criminals.
I heard a judge talking about this, and he said it will have an adverse effect on the use of court and judges time!
Not a fan of Wes streeting, but very glad to see as health secretary he voted against this bill.
Ditto the Justice secretary.

 

[Foxvint]

I wonder how many people on this thread championing assisted dying are going to be happy when the NHS has to divert funds away from other treatments and resources!
Also, how many will be happy when the courts system is clogged up by judges having to rule on cases of people wanting to take this option.
Personally, I want the courts to deal with criminals.
I heard a judge talking about this, and he said it will have an adverse effect on the use of court and judges time!
Not a fan of Wes streeting, but very glad to see as health secretary he voted against this bill.
Ditto the Justice secretary.

Why would it divert funds? Genuine question as most criticism says its a money saving plan.

 

[Miss polar]

Of course it’s a money saving plan. That’s the whole point!!
The more dead people, the less you have to invest in palliative care, which is already hugely underfunded!

 

[LittleMy]

My views haven’t changed. I’m glad it’s being taken seriously and I hope the bill goes ahead for the sake of the people who are crying out for it. I would also like it to be an option for myself if I were to ever become terminally ill in the future.

 

[Foxvint]

Do people think there should be a referendum on it?

 

[LittleMy]

Do people think there should be a referendum on it?

I think so. I think the people should be able to vote for or against it