On Wednesday 23rd October the Senedd (the Welsh parliament) will debate and vote on a motion to support assisted dying. Submitted by Julie Morgan MS, the motion calls for “adults of sound mind who are intolerably suffering from an incurable, physical condition and have a clear and settled wish to die should have the option of an assisted death, subject to robust safeguards.” My Death, My Decision welcomes this debate and is providing Julie with support to bring about a vote by the Senedd in favour of compassion and dignity.
The motion had three co-submitters from Labour, Conservatives and Plaid Cymru and an additional five supporters. The Senedd does not have the power to change the law on assisted dying, as it is currently a matter governed by criminal law which is not devolved. This vote would therefore only be an ‘in principle’ vote. Nevertheless, support for assisted dying in the Senedd would shine the light on Westminster to enact a change in the law across the UK.
The motion notes that “if assisted dying were to be legalised, and given its responsibility for health and social care, the Welsh Government would require an in-depth understanding of any proposals.”
Last year, My Death, My Decision, held an event in the Senedd hosted by James Evans MS and Jayne Bryant MS, where we shared personal stories and expertise on why the law needs to be changed. In June, Mark Drakeford the former first minister supported calls for a change in the law.
The Senedd debated assisted dying a decade ago. They voted against the principles of assisted dying in 2014.
Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death My Decision, said:
“This is an historic moment for My Death, My Decision and for the campaign for assisted dying. We’ve been encouraging a debate in the Senedd for some years, because we believe Welsh people should have their say on this important issue. It’s been a decade since it was last debated, but this time we believe the vote will be very different.
This debate will be about a law for people who are intolerably suffering from incurable conditions, not one limited to people who are terminally ill. It’s important that people who are suffering from conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and locked-in syndrome are not ignored. People who are suffering unbearably deserve choice, compassion and dignity.”
Notes:
Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request
For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.
Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
