Joel James MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central has today spoken in the Welsh Parliament debate on Assisted Dying.
Though not a devolved power, given that the power to change the law lies with MPs in Westminster, who will soon be debating and voting on plans for an assisted dying law, the Welsh Parliament conducted their own debate and symbolic vote to express their personal views.
Starting his contribution, the Member highlighted his deep concern and opposition to the motion due to repeatedly proven cases that show assisted dying laws, when introduced, descend quickly into a range of problems, from coercion by relatives to the hand-picking of specific doctors willing to euthanise.
The Member also stated that he believed "It would set a dangerous precedent and lead to a catalogue of unintended consequences if it was introduced into the UK".
Joel also stated to the Chamber that, unlike many other countries, every person in the UK has the right to high-quality palliative care, and the right to express their wishes about how they wish to receive it. He believed there was therefore "a clear difference between what we have here in the UK and what other countries offer in terms of palliative care". Giving an example, the Member stated that in Canada less than 30 per cent of Canadians have access to high-quality hospice palliative care, and that access to hospice palliative care is not considered a fundamental healthcare right.
The Member also explained his concern for the possibility of a future law being reformed stating that it has been expanded in the Netherlands and Belgium to include children, and, in Canada, from 2027, they will allow people suffering solely from mental health issues with no physical condition at all.
Closing his contribution, Joel highlighted that his biggest concern and one that has been frequently communicated to him by constituents is that by introducing assisted dying you change the narrative from how we can provide the best possible care for someone dying to at what point do they become a burden, financially or otherwise, to the state, to their family or to their carers.
During the vote, 19 Senedd members voted in favour of the motion, with 26 against and 9 abstentions.
Speaking after the debate, Joel said:
Today the Welsh Parliament debated assisted dying, and there were strong and passionate contributions on both sides of the argument - and I can sympathise wholeheartedly as to why people want to bring in this legislation.
However, as I highlighted in my contribution, in countries that have brought in the legislation, strong safeguards that were designed to protect the vulnerable have slowly, over time, been removed.
Though the Welsh Parliament voted against supporting assisted dying, I suspect that it's a debate that will continue to be discussed.
To watch Joel's full contribution, please click here.
