Fears over MPs’ attendance at vote on assisted dying

A NUMBER of MPs were expected to miss a landmark debate on assisted dying on Friday amid intensive lobbying by pro-euthanasia groups.

MPs were due on Friday to vote on whether to allow the Marris Bill, which seeks to allow terminally ill people the right to end their lives, a second reading. If they vote in favour of the bill, the Government will decide whether to allow it more parliamentary time.

Catholic Labour MP Rob Flello, who has lobbied vigorously against the bill, predicted a strong turnout of MPs who are in favour of assisted dying. But he said that many who are undecided would have been influenced by pro-euthanasia groups like the charity Dignity in Dying, which claims that 82 per cent of the population support the proposed change in the law for England and Wales.

Private member’s bill debates scheduled for a Friday were usually poorly attended, he explained, unless MPs felt particularly strongly about the issue being debated.

“There will be some MPs who oppose legalising assisted dying but have been lobbied by constituents, and feel it’s easier to stay away. There will be some who are not sure of their own stance, and others who feel it won’t go anywhere,” he added.

He praised the bishops’ conference for mobilising Catholics to lobby their MPs against the bill.

Mr Flello revealed that not all Catholic MPs oppose the bill and he was aware of some who would vote in favour.

“I’m very deeply saddened they are going to,” he told The Tablet.

Among those expected to be absent were the Prime Minister, David Cameron. In a letter to a constituent seen by The Tablet this week Mr Cameron said there are “significant dangers in making assisted suicide easier” but revealed he would not be present for the bill’s second reading due to constituency commitments.

The favourite in the Labour leadership race, Jeremy Corbyn, who opposes the bill, also said that he would not attend the debate.