Four women who are terminally ill shared their distress over the hindrance of the assisted dying bill by members of the House of Lords, which has left them confronting a daunting death. Sophie Blake, Elise Burns, Pamela Fisher, and Christie Arntsen stood silently on plinths in Parliament Square as a few Lords attempted to obstruct the passage of the historic bill.
Prior to the demonstration, they expressed to the Mirror their feelings of being deprived of a peaceful end. They revealed their apprehension about facing a painful death, with some contemplating the extreme measure of starving themselves to avoid suffering.
Almost a year ago at the same location, advocates from Dying in Dignity rejoiced when the Commons approved the Assisted Dying bill. However, the bill is now expected to fail as the House of Lords has introduced over 1,200 amendments to delay and ultimately thwart its progress.
Campaigners gathered under a statue honoring Suffragette leader Dame Millicent Fawcett, which bears the inscription: ‘Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere.’
Despite battling pain, the 500 Dying in Dignity supporters witnessed the determination of the four women, who are now unlikely to benefit from the bill due to the delay.
Pamela Fisher, 64, shared her fears of dying in agony due to terminal breast cancer and criticized the Lords for stalling the bill, calling it “beyond belief.” She expressed her concern about the prolonged timeline for the bill’s potential reintroduction and the lack of immediate relief it offers terminally ill individuals like herself.
The proposed bill aims to provide mentally competent, terminally ill adults with the option of an assisted death if they have six months left to live.
Sophie Blake, 53, diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, voiced her concerns about the potential return of her cancer and her allergy to common pain-relief drugs. She emphasized the importance of a compassionate death and lamented the Lords’ actions.
Christie Arntsen, 58, who has been battling metastatic breast cancer for over a decade, felt betrayed by the Lords’ actions and vowed to continue the fight for the bill’s passage.
Elise Burns, 52, suffering from multiple cancer diagnoses, expressed her desire to prevent others from enduring a prolonged and agonizing death. She denounced the Lords’ decision, labeling it as shameful and disrespectful.
The demonstrators, including TV presenter Prue Leith, shared personal stories illustrating the urgent need for assisted dying legislation. They vowed to persist in their efforts to push the bill through in the future sessions of Parliament.
Despite the setback, supporters like Lord Charlie Falconer remain optimistic about the bill’s eventual approval. The attendees, including individuals like Martin Skelton, who are personally impacted by the lack of assisted dying options, are determined to continue advocating for change.
