Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Jeevun Sandher and Lindsay Hoyle

Report stage
Friday 13th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Dr Jeevun Sandher (Loughborough) (Lab)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to rise to speak to new clause 6, which proposes a special representative for ethnic minorities. I am not white, as some Members may have noticed. The fact that my presence in this House is unremarkable is in and of itself remarkable. That did not happen by chance; it happened because of those who came before me.

The Mother of the House, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott), has spoked powerfully in this debate, and I know that my unremarkable presence here is due to her remarkable achievements. We may not always hold the same opinions, but we have always shared the same Labour values. She will never know how grateful we all are to her. I may be part of the last generation of MPs who can say this to her while she is in the House: thank you.

My hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi) has spoken powerfully in this debate, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall and Bloxwich (Valerie Vaz) has tabled new clause 6. I know I stand on their shoulders too, and I do not doubt their good intentions, but this Bill has nothing to do with the colour of my skin. New clause 6 proposes a special representative for ethnic minorities. I disagree with the new clause, because the colour of my skin has no bearing here and no special place in this debate. Equalities data will be reported through the Equality and Human Rights Commission, as set out in clause 51, and the Secretary of State can already consult community representatives. For every person of every skin colour, this Bill gives those already dying a choice to end their suffering—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We need to make sure that contributions are tied to the amendments. We are not debating the general points of the Bill—we have gone past that. The hon. Gentleman is making more of a Third Reading speech, which he might want to save.

[Dr Sandher]

It is to the point of where we are—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I will make that decision. Please do not challenge the Chair.

[Dr Sandher]

I do apologise, Mr Speaker.

What I meant to say is that new clause 6 would introduce a special representative for ethnic minorities, and I am trying to explore why we do not need one. A duty to consult is already included in clause 51.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeevun Sandher and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member is not linking her question to the original, so we are going to move on.

[Dr Jeevun Sandher (Loughborough) (Lab)]

5. What steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of reoffending among young people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeevun Sandher and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 16th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Before I call Dr Jeevun Sandher, may I offer him my congratulations on his engagement?

[Dr Jeevun Sandher (Loughborough) (Lab)]

That is incredibly kind of you, Mr Speaker.

Young non-graduates are finding it far harder to get good, well-paid jobs. The number of young people not in education, employment or training has nearly doubled since 2013, and youth unemployment is at its highest rate in almost a decade because young people are not getting the skills they need. On top of that, they are becoming far sicker; one in three young people currently has a mental health problem, and that figure is rising. What are the Government and the Department doing to give young people the skills and the health support that they need to get good, well-paying jobs?