Your MP voted against the Assisted Dying Bill. How would her constituents have voted?
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I’m glad Sarah Olney reflected on her initial thoughts and voted against an Assisted Suicide Bill. She was probably influenced by the many constituents who wrote to her expressing their misgivings and who urged her to work to make palliative care equitable for all and to fully fund Hospices nationwide. Instead of diverting funds within the NHS to deliver a death service.
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I believe polls show that about 3/4 of the population support this bill. However, I don’t believe that the role of an MP is simply to mirror the views of constituents. Remember, when Parliament abolished the death penalty a majority of the population supported its continuance.
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I disagree with her decision but respect the fact that she acted in accordance with Burke’s principle relating to the role of an MP not being merely a delegate.
Just hope she applies this to ALL her decisions.
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To her credit, the MP circulated a message that showed she had given a deal of thought to the vote.
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“(opinion) of constituents is a weighty and respectable opinion which a Representative (MP) ought always to rejoice to hear; and which he ought always most seriously to consider. But authoritative instructions; mandates issued, which the member is bound blindly and implicitly to obey, to vote, and to argue for, though contrary to the clearest conviction of his judgment and conscience; these are things utterly unknown to the laws of this land …”
Edmund Burke 1729 – 1797
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Sarah made a good case in her letter to constituents and I respect her choice.
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