Former Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has revealed he would vote against the assisted dying bill if he was still an MP.
Ashworth, who now serves as chief executive of Labour Together, expressed major concerns about the proposed law ahead of next week’s Commons vote.
Speaking to GB News, Ashworth said: “For what it’s worth, if I was still an MP, I’ve decided I would not vote for it.”
The former Leicester South MP added to the growing resistance against the bill which would allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to end their lives with medical assistance.
Jonathan Ashworth spoke to GB News ahead of a historic Commons
GB News
The legislation, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, requires approval from two doctors and a High Court judge before assisted dying can be permitted.
Speaking to Camilla Tominey, Ashworth added: “That is my position, by the way, that is not the position of the think tank I’ve associated with, because obviously, it doesn’t have a position. It’s just my personal position.
“There are two things that would concern me. First of all, I just worry about the pressure that this would put people who are in the most desperate of circumstances, the pressure they would be under.
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“I just think it would change societal norms about that and I’m not sure that we’re ready for that as a society.
“And secondly, we all know that end of life care in the country is just not satisfactory.
“The hospice movement is phenomenal, but they have been underfunded for years, and I just don’t want people feeling that they are a burden or that they feel their time is up and they have to make these decisions.”
His comments adds to growing resistance against the bill
GB News
Ashworth’s concerns echoed those raised by Shabana Mahmood after the Justice Secretary warned that “the greatest risk of all is the pressure the elderly, vulnerable, sick or disabled may place upon themselves”.
Mahmood has argued that the state should “never offer death as a service” and expressed profound concerns that the legislation could create a “slippery slope towards death on demand”.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a commission on end-of-life care instead of legal changes.
Brown advocated for a “fully-funded, 10-year strategy for improved and comprehensive palliative care”, rather than focusing on assisted dying legislation.
Jonathan Ashworth spoke to GB News
GB News
“When only a small fraction of the population are expected to choose assisted dying, would it not be better to focus all our energies on improving all-round hospice care to reach everyone in need of end of life support?” Brown wrote in The Guardian.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has already indicated he will vote against the bill, suggesting it would place additional costs on the NHS.
Sir Keir Starmer has declined to state his position, arguing he doesn’t want to pressure MPs.
The bill, covering England and Wales, includes safeguards such as requiring approval from two doctors and a High Court judge, with coercion becoming an offence punishable by up to 14 years in jail.