So there's still some common sense among our Members of Parliament – and maybe even the remnants of Christian faith!
Victory for Common Sense
The widespread fears that many of the new MPs are unknown and may have secular humanist values have been dispelled this afternoon. The House of Commons has voted by a large majority to throw out the Private Members Bill put forward by Rob Marris, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East.
The Vote
Voting was 118 in favour and 330 against which effectively kills the euthanasia debate for the rest of this Parliament. Sarah Wootton, the chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said it was an "outrage" that MPs had gone against the views of the majority of the public (which should surely be questioned!). No doubt those who have passionately campaigned for this Bill will try again at some time but for the moment it can go no farther.
A Voice for the Voiceless
Dr Peter Saunders, director of the 'Care Not Killing' campaign, celebrated the result saying the current law existed to protect the elderly, sick and vulnerable, especially "those who have no voice against exploitation and coercion".1
Welcome Surprise
The result is surprising as it is a larger majority (212) than the last time the house voted on this issue nearly 20 years ago. It is a welcome victory against the relentless secularisation of the nation and the undermining of its centuries-old Christian heritage. The nation would indeed have crossed a rubicon if this Bill had been passed into law.
It would not only have caused many people who are sick and frail to feel pressured to end their lives to spare their carers, but it would have meant that the nation no longer has respect for human life which is the precious gift of the God of Creation and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It would have been a rejection of the whole of our biblical heritage and the belief system and values upon which this nation is founded. But it wasn't to be – a result for which we should be giving thanks to Almighty God!
References
1 BBC News, Assisted Dying Bill: MPs reject 'right to die' law, 11/09/15.
