Assisted Dying- "I’m keeping this under my hat, Lord Lovely"
Dignity on the Northern Line
I have spoken previously how 8 years ago, in a dramatic turn of events, the death of my childhood friend, Fabi, changed my mind. She convinced me to campaign well for…a Fabi’s Law.
With fellow campaigner’s
Yesterday I attending my first Parliamentary lobby on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill aka The Leadbeater Bill with fellow activists. It was lovely to meet and hear from people like Nathaniel Dye, who I first met in Parliament last year. Nathaniel is terminally ill with metastatic bowel cancer. This is not some Parliamentary game, he knows he will die soon, and nearly did recently from a pulmonary embolus. So it is vital that this Bill gets passed for Nathaniel and all those in a similar situation.
It was an honour to meet Nathaniel and others today as the House of Commons passed the penultimate hurdle before the Bill goes to the House of Lords
Nathaniel Dye
Then the strangest thing happened on the way home. I didn’t do any media interviews, enough of that this week.
I got on the tube at Westminster to head to Euston and met an elderly well-dressed man. He smiled at my hat. I smiled back. We had never met, but I knew who he was- a rather prominent member of the House of Lords who I recognised off the TV. We will call him Lord Lovely….as he is rather lovely.
Me “How are you Lord Lovely?” Not having a clue what his views were on assisted dying, but I figured things out rather quickly.
“It wont pass you know, opponents will find some reason to block it.” said Lord Lovely.
Me “Oh I don’t think so, we will both find out next week though wont we? Any chance you could tweak some bits when it gets to the Lords. I’m a neurologist and unless there is a similar change in the law for 12 months for those terminally ill with motor neurone disease. This is going to be a problem for those terminally ill with MND who would like this choice”. Lord Lovely “I agree get in touch, I still think its never going to pass, we should have drafted this in the Lords.”
Moving onto the Northern Line, we chatted some more. “I do think its worth thinking about the Royal College of Pathologists statement.” “I agree I will give it some thought”.
Nice to meet you Lord Lovely as I got off at Euston. I will be in touch after next Friday and the 3rdreading.
Who on earth was Lord Lovely? I am keeping that under my hat. It was too nice a coincidence not to enjoy the moment.
David thank you for what you are doing. Here in Ireland 🇮🇪 and as a volunteer run group EndofLife Ireland are fully behind you all at DiD and MdMd. Generations to come will be aghast at why legislation takes so long and that it takes precious time from those who advocate for what we know is offering an option within a palliative setting for a #KinderDeath for those who choose it. Here's to Lord Lovely doing the right things in supporting where he best can.