Martin McCluskey MP on proposed assisted dying legislation

The Bill will be debated in the House of Commons on November 29. I recognise that this is an issue where there are strongly held views on both sides of the debate and few straightforward positions.

That is why I have welcomed the hundreds of emails about this proposal that I have received from people over recent weeks. Hearing directly from people across the constituency about your views are important as I weigh up the decision I have to make later this month.

Campaigners have been fighting for years for the right to allow seriously ill people to choose when, where and how they die. As the Bill currently stands, it will not apply to Scotland. There is currently a Bill before the Scottish Parliament - the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill – which makes a similar proposal. However, the Scottish Government have questioned whether the Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate fully for assisted dying.

With the focus currently on the UK Bill, this is likely to set the agenda for this debate in the months ahead.

The debate on November 29 will be on the general principles of the Bill.  If it is successful and passes its second eeading it will face the full scrutiny of the Parliamentary process both in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. All MPs will be given a free vote, which means that the Government is neutral and will not seek to influence the views of individual MPs.  

READ MORE: Martin McCluskey MP: We must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice in war

As its stand, the Bill proposes to allow people with a terminal illness and less than six months to live the option to end their own life. This would need to be certified by two doctors who would have to satisfy themselves that the person involved is terminally ill, has less than six months to live and has capacity to make the decision. The process would then need to be approved by the High Court.

If the law were to change, I believe that assisted dying should not become an alternative to high-quality palliative and end of life care. People deserve dignity in death, and each person nearing the end of their life should feel reassured and safe in the knowledge they will receive the very best care. 

Palliative care across the UK has been under-resourced for years, but anyone who has come into contact with high quality palliative care knows how important it can be.

Over the coming weeks, I want to listen carefully to all views from constituents and to the debate in the House of Commons on November 29. I currently have concerns around the level of safeguards in the Bill, and around the pressure assisted dying could place on an already stretched NHS, and have listened carefully to the the concerns raised by disability rights activists about the impact that a Bill such as this could have on them.

Kim Leadbeater MP has introduced a Bill on assisted dying in the House of Commons. As we approach November 29, and if this Bill progresses to its next stage, it is important that this debate is respectful. Rancorous political debate around this issue will serve no one well.

As a Government minister, and because the Government is officially neutral on this question, I am not permitted to speak in the debate, but I will be using my vote.

I want to hear from people on both sides of the debate, and would welcome any feedback by email on martin.mccluskey.mp@parliament.uk or by post to Martin McCluskey MP, Custom House, Custom House Quay, Greenock, PA15 1AL.

Constituents are also welcome to make an appointment at one of my surgeries in Greenock and Port Glasgow on November 23 by calling 020 7219 8353.

Biter tragedy

On Wednesday the Marine Accident Investigation Branch published their accident investigation report into the capsize of the tug Biter off Greenock on February 24, 2023.

The deaths of George Taft and Ian Catterson as a result of this accident were a tragedy and a reminder of the dangers that all those who work at sea can face.

As the MAIB report makes clear, incidents like this involving tugs capsizing are very rare, but when an accident takes place the consequences can be catastrophic.

Emergency crews were unable to save George Taft and Ian Catterson after the Biter capsized and sank off Greenock in February 2023. In the case of Biter, a breakdown in safety procedures appear to have contributed to the accident, with the MAIB making recommendations to Clyde Marine Services and Clydeport.

Lessons must be learned from this tragic accident and the safety of our local workforce in the marine industry must be maintained to the highest standard.

Constituency office

My new constituency office has now been open for a few weeks. I’m pleased to have been able to move into the Custom House at Custom House Quay and started welcoming visitors there a couple of weeks ago.

While the new office will provide a local base for me and my team, my focus remains being out and about across our area with regular surgeries and drop ins. My next round of surgeries will be on November 23 in Greenock and Port Glasgow and you can make an appointment using the contact details provided earlier in this article.