Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Jonathan Davies and Simon Opher

2nd reading
Friday 11th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dr Simon Opher (Stroud) (Lab)]

May I praise the House for some fantastic speeches all round, including from my hon. Friends the Members for West Lancashire (Ashley Dalton) and for Filton and Bradley Stoke (Claire Hazelgrove), and indeed just now from my hon. Friend the Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Dr Tidball) and the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Dr Spencer)? I am proud of our House and the way in which we have debated this matter.

I have been involved in delivering palliative care and end-of-life care—they are actually quite different—for over 34 years and I continue to do so as a GP. Given the time, I will cut my speech short, but I want to say that this is really about choice. Choice exists for people in France, in Spain, in the Netherlands, in Belgium, in Australia, in the US and in Canada, and indeed in Jersey and the Isle of Man. It also exists for people in this country if they have got 15 grand. However, we do not give access to it at the moment.

To all the doubters, I say that this is the safest assisted dying Bill in the world—full stop. That is a fact, because it has got so many safeguards: many more than the ones in Australia or any other place.

[Jonathan Davies]

Will my hon. Friend give way?

[Dr Opher]

No, I will carry on if that is okay.

It is a great thing to offer end-of-life care and palliative care. In 2010, the UK system for palliative care was at the level of the best in the world, yet still people went to Dignitas. Still, 600 people who were suffering from terminal diagnosis killed themselves. Indeed, in Oregon, 92% of patients who opted for assisted dying were receiving good palliative care. They are different things.