Should you be able to choose when you die? | The Daily T Podcast

As Lord Falconer launches a private members’ bill to make assisted dying legal in the House of Lords, Kamal and Camilla catch up with him about why now is the right time to reignite one of the most controversial debates in the UK.

The bill, which was first brought to the House of Lords in 2013, has been given a second chance after broadcaster and journalist Dame Esther Rantzen reignited the debate when she disclosed her plan to travel to Dignitas alone after her stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis last year. Currently, the laws in England and Wales around assisted dying mean her family could face criminal charges if they help her with euthanasia.

In this Daily T Special, we also speak to Dame Esther about what it means to have a ‘good death’ and why she thinks the bill should pass. While Paralympic athlete Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson argues the case against the bill, sharing her concerns about what it would mean for vulnerable disabled people.

#politics #world #news

00:00 Intro
02:29 Esther Rantzen Interview
12:53 Moral reasoning for assisted suicide
29:51 Lord Falconer interview
51:27 Tanni Grey-Thompson interview

[adamshatwell]

As well as obvious medical reasons the pathway will be offered to poor people instead of costly mental health treatment, also disabled & people living in poverty. Austerity & cost of living was just the start.

[davefish]

I have seen my father and both my in laws slowly fade away in a nursing home. If I had a choice I
know what I would prefer.

[frankieg]

Yes! If I’m sick and there’s no cure I ain’t waiting for no god to take me! I’m going my way

[LIVEMETRIX]

animals literally have greater rights in this area of the law. they’re allowed to be put down if their pain is deemed enough, but with humans many are so against the right to live or die humanely given to humans to the point where some would rather have a human alive and suffering daily miserable then have them choose to end their own life. humans should not be forced to stay alive.

[FarmerDrew]

I think it absolutely should be accessible. My neighbor killed himself with a gun in his backyard after 12 back surgeries that still didn't solve his back pain.

[michaelblack]

Initially I was sceptical of the potential of abuse but after reading New Zealand’s law and watching its implementation it’s something I am 100% on board with

[owenfire]

ABSOLUTELY! I have been in EMS for 24 years and have seen a lot of terminally ill
patients that had to suffer excruciating pain. Why is it that we have more compassion for animals not wanting them to suffer but have no compassion for those that want to end their life?

[kennethblakeley]

Check what's happening in Canada 😢

[ChrisGroggyCreaser]

God Bless Esther Dantzen & the assisted dying movement!!... :)

[Framebyframe]

Animals in pain and suffering can have their life’s ended yet humans can’t

[Popthekettleonlove]

Belgium has very poor palliative care because everyone chooses to die. Where does that leave those that dont wish to kill themselves. We need better care for those with terminal conditions not criminalising people for providing adequate pain relief. Dont kill. Also in the countries that have gone down this right to die it has seeped into mental health, disability etc. not good. Look under the lid of this, people are being given the option to kill themselves if things are too much because they cant get enough social care.

[ravenofra]

Very well presented content that I feel represented the case for and against the issue quite well. Whichever site people stand on I think its right and proper that we should have a free and open debate about something like this. Its the sort of thing that I think a citizens assembly would be very well placed to discuss I do wonder if such an issue even if it passes both houses of parliament should have some sort of referendum(although I really would not want this to be something antagonistic like the Brexit referendum which is why I suggest maybe a citizens assembly as a way of incorporating some more direct democracy into the issue).

[GlenB-qowd]

Animals get better rights than humans . If an animal is suffering they just put ta sleep. Yet humans have to suffer until there last breath. Both my parents have put DNRs in place. Its about time this was made legal.

[HelenChaseKiddyEnamaine]

I moved from Tampa to Santa Clara a few months ago and I’m thinking of purchasing a single family home there, but with real estate prices currently through the roof, is it still a good idea to buy a home or should I invest in stocks for now and just wait for a housing market correction? Looks like NVDA, TSM and AMD and AVGO are strong buys this week.

[JelMain]

And don't entrap next of kin. I nearly had that, even though the Belgian system gave me no say.

[Cwizza_]

Do we think mentally ill or suffering people should be allowed it aswell or just for peoole who have an incureable disease/illnesses

[hoobsgroove]

poor Esther I thought you'd gone years ago😊❤

[ColinGarner-ht]

I’m just not 100% sure about this . I think it would need two or three professionals to determine if it was ok .

[BoxingPurist]

Ask Jehovah for help Esther. Don't end it too soon. Trust in this message. Ask Jehovah for help. Do not worry woman