It’s the role of those elected to represent us in government to make the decisions that affect all our lives.
Sometimes they can be easy, passed with unanimous agreement for the good, or otherwise, of all.
But sometimes those decisions can be a lot more problematic. They can pull the heartstrings in completely opposite directions. The topics will transcend the usual party politics with representatives voting with their own conscience.
As for some topics there can simply be no middle ground to sit comfortably in.
Today, MPs in the House of Commons will vote on a private members’ bill to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their life.
It’s a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, so whatever the outcome at Westminster, any future decision relating to this part of the UK will be made at Stormont.
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Eleven of our 18 MPs will get the chance to vote, though their own constituents will not be affected. So far only the SDLP’s Colum Eastwood has declared he will be in favour. He said he believes in the “sanctity of life” but also believes in “dignity in death”, but added the risk of people feeling pressured to end their lives was the biggest issue he grappled with.
That issue was a step too far for DUP leader Gavin Robinson to overcome. All DUP MPs have indicated they will vote against the bill and so too will TUV leader Jim Allister, Alliance’s Sorcha Eastwood, UUP’s Robin Swann and independent Alex Easton.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna has chosen to abstain, and it’s not hard to see why.
As of Wednesday, 85 MPs have said they are likely to vote in favour of the bill, while 76 have publicly stated they are likely to vote against it. That leaves 489 MPs who are still to make up their minds.
That division in the House is matched across the UK on a deeply personal issue. Should a similar question ever come before our own legislative body the pressure will only intensify.
While NI’s biggest party does not vote at Westminster, earlier this year Sinn Féin said: “In principle, we support legislating for assisted dying in certain circumstances and with robust safeguards, but the legislation should only be progressed once the appropriate services and supports are available.”
There will be plenty to discuss. And just because a topic is a difficult one doesn’t mean those conversations shouldn’t be had.
It all brings home the responsibility we place on those elected to serve us in government. Sometimes their decisions really are a matter of life and death.