Sophia Kleanthous - The Chronic Campaigner

On Wednesday as part of @Dis_PPL_Protest's #WelfareNotWarfare protest, I shared a poem I wrote in response to the #SpringStatement. In every way this is 'What We Stand to Lose' - I hope this helps others feel less alone in this pain and overwhelm #DisabilityBenefitCuts ❤️1/9

Keir Starmer chose the PMB route for assisted dying to avoid responsibility. In doing so, he left the vulnerable and marginalised exposed - people who may be given no real choice. Now hardline supporters want to compound that abuse of process with the Parliament Acts.

“Where the reason that you want an assisted death is because in your mind you are influenced by your circumstances—for example, because you are poor—should you be barred from having an assisted death because of your poverty? In my view [you should] not.”

The biggest issue causing division amounts communities across the UK is ‘Housing’ whether directly or indirectly. Housing was turned from a fundamental right, into a rich persons hobby. Now millions are paying the price for it.

Well said @Tanni_GT. There is no Royal College that supports this Bill. Not one group representing disabled people supports this bill. "This is not about the principle, this is about the detail", more care was taken over football regulation. "Nobody will say the bill is safe".

Do watch along. Baroness Gerada has just argued that ALL doctors must be trained and competent in delivery of assisted dying!!!!

Reminder the Lords has been blocked - for reasons of scope - from ensuring those that may be offered assisted death, would also be offered alternatives. The Bill mandates only one option.

✍️ In recent months: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland voted down assisted suicide 🇸🇮 Slovenia rejected it in a referendum 🇨🇦 Alberta is seeking to roll back its MAID regime 🇬🇧 Westminster bill faltering Any so-called global momentum on assisted suicide is the opposite of what its advocates claim

Tonight the Scottish Parliament voted NO to legalising assisted suicide in Scotland by 69 votes to 57 Thank you to the MSP's who listened to the evidence & experiences of all those with concerns about this Bill Hopefully Westminster will follow the Scottish Parliament's example

First vote was 70-56 the other way. It’s becoming really clear that this kind of legislation falls apart under scrutiny. Time to move forward and confront the huge challenges facing social care, palliative care and the NHS.

Remarkable speech from Pam Duncan-Glancy (Independent): “There will be countless disabled people in our constituencies who haven’t had the choice to have a shower in weeks. People who can’t choose when they go to bed. Some who will already be in bed. “People who can’t choose what to eat. People who can’t choose to go out of their house, because it isn’t accessible. People tonight who can’t choose the care or the healthcare they need, including at the end, because it simply isn’t available for them. “And crucially, there will be disabled people whose struggle is so hard that they’ve given up hope, given up fighting, and will be considering tonight taking their own lives. “I know this, because I have been all of these people I’ve described. They live in fear every single day, worrying about what new limit someone else will put on their lives, and what little power they will have to change it. They live every single day without choice at all… “In a world where so many have little or no choice, we can’t risk making death the only choice they ever have.”

Liam McArthur's assisted dying bill is comfortably defeated in the Scottish parliament For: 57 Against: 69 Abstention: 1 Both sides had predicted a much closer vote

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Reason #6 why 200 Scottish Healthcare Professionals urge MSPs to vote down this Bill. There are more MSPs than WTE Palliative Care Consultants in Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The bill still lacks safeguards to protect the vulnerable and allows any future Government to alter the founding principles of our precious NHS. In Hackney we know the value of end of life care at St Joseph's Hospice-we need investment in palliative care not state-assisted dying.

New Scot Govt commentary on Assisted Dying Bill on the eve of the vote says “the costs associated with delivery of the Bill… are likely to be high, and will require a degree of reprioritisation… we would always seek to keep any negative impact on other services to a minimum”

I can't think of a more consequential Bill on which to make my final speech as an MSP I've immense empathy for those suffering with a terminal illness. However, I cannot in good conscience support legislation that could be abused to coerce the most vulnerable to end their lives.

GDA recognises that many people hold differing views on the principle of #AssistedDying. Regardless of people’s views on the principle of Assisted Dying, it is widely accepted by multiple professional bodies that this Bill is unsafe. This is why we’re urging MSP’s to VOTE NO

4. McArthur says there are “cast iron protections for healthcare professionals ready to go”. It is not clear what he means: the bill only says *some* protections need to be made (32(2A)(b)). The lack of “cast iron” specifics is one reason so many professional bodies are opposed:

"I used to support the right to die...when I witnessed my parents age and die...realised my mistake...how much old people worry about being a burden...[who] will try to make up for the [NHS'] by "doing the right thing"...AD could become the final solution to social care crisis" 1/

Pay attention, #Scotland! Jersey, after passing #assistedsuicide legislation, has a proposal to extend its benefits to all those with a "incurable physical medical condition". That is, ALL people with permanent #disabilities. The inevitable expansion... statesassembly.je/publications/p…