James Naish

From October 2024 onwards, I did my best to engage fully and properly with the assisted dying debate that took place across England and Wales. I met campaigners on both sides of the debate in my constituency, and did my best to explain my conclusions to constituents at all times. Today I am presenting a petition signed by residents who tracked me down in the pouring rain while I was door-knocking in Keyworth a few weeks ago, such was their commitment to this cause. They wanted me to know that while they respect the need for scrutiny of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, they are concerned about the possibility that the Bill will not become law because the parliamentary Session is likely to end in the coming weeks, before the Bill has returned to this Chamber. They do not want to return to Second and Third Reading debates in future but, like many ordinary people, they would like to see laws change in this place, and they are finding the processes opaque and slow. Their trust in the system is waning. To that end, Hilary, Joe, Robert, Patricia, Eve, Karen and many other constituents who signed this petition asked whether I would formally put their concerns on the parliamentary record, which I am doing. The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take such actions as are within its power to facilitate the progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. And the petitioners remain, etc.” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the constituency of Rushcliffe, Declares that an assisted dying law should be enacted without further delay, following the House of Commons voting in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in June 2025; and further declares that there is overwhelming public support for law change. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take such actions as are within its power to facilitate the progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. And the petitioners remain, etc.]