I have no doubt that some will claim Friday’s debate on the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill was “parliament at its best” – it wasn’t. While the bill cleared its second reading with a vote of 330 to 275, it is clear that this entire process is the worst way to consider a social issue of such importance.
This bill has been controversial not just because of the subject matter, but because of the process by which it came to today’s vote. It is a backbench private members’ bill, going through a process that is ill-equipped to deal with such issues – despite some historical precedent.
Sometimes, politicians reach back through history, identify events and circumstances that they think are similar to the situation that they face. They then go on to make the wrong decision based on a misreading of history. It appears the government has done this with assisted dying.
