Suffolk MP to hold assisted dying debate

South Suffolk Conservative MP James Cartlidge told BBC Suffolk he wants to hear from constituents before he makes any decision on the assisted dying vote

A Suffolk MP has said he wants to hold a “public meeting” for his constituents to give their views on the assisted dying debate.

James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, said the meeting would be open to people who were interested in the subject to hear "different" views.

His comments, made during a Hotseat discussion on BBC Radio Suffolk, followed the announcement by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater that she was putting forward a private members bill to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their life.

Cartlidge said the debate would take place in the next couple of weeks.

The bill is due to have its first reading on 16 October and Leadbeater said "now is the time" to hold a fresh debate on assisted dying, after MPs rejected a previous bill on the issue in 2015.

During the last debates, the previous government's standpoint was to remain "neutral".

Cartlidge, who was Justice Minister under the Conservatives, voted against the previous bill as he "didn’t like the legislation".

Asked about his personal views now, he said: "In principle having heard all the debates I think ultimately should you deny someone who is in unbearable pain the right to end it, if that’s their preference?

"I have come to the view that you probably shouldn’t."

• BBC Sounds: Nicky Campbell looks at assisted dying

Cartlidge added there were serious “caveats”.

"There’s a big difference saying that’s the right thing and having a piece of legislation that will avoid the inevitable attempts of abuse that will occur," he said.

"Anyone who supports this will recognise you’ve got to get it right."

Cartlidge said his office had had hundreds of emails on the matter and a public meeting would help him make up his mind on which way he should vote.

He said he wanted to find a way to “engage the community”.

Leadbeater, Labour MP for Spen Valley, said her proposals would give eligible adults nearing the end of their lives the right to choose to shorten their lives.

Opponents to the proposal include Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the former paralympian who is a crossbencher in the House of Lords.

She said she was against the proposed change because of concerns "about the impact on vulnerable people, on disabled people, coercive control, and the ability of doctors to make a six-month diagnosis".