Lisa Nandy urges MPs to back Assisted Dying Bill to allow end of life 'dignity': 'We have to strike balance'

Criticising the Bill, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told the People's Channel that the legislation is "riddled with holes", branding it the "most robust piece of legislation in the world".

Discussing the Bill, Nandy explained why she is backing the Bill today, having previously supported assisted dying.

Nandy explained: "I'm a long standing supporter of giving people more choice and dignity at the end of their lives, and I've long wanted to see the law change.

"I supported the bill at second reading, which is when it's introduced formally to the House of Commons, and I still support it now."

Praising GB News for hosting "respectful debate" on the matter of assisted dying, Nandy added: "I think there's been a very respectful and detailed debate over the last few months and amongst colleagues in Parliament and outside it in the public, including on GB News.

"I think we've conducted this well, I think there are safeguards in the Bill and I'd like to see colleagues support it today.

"But of course, as a Government we are neutral on this issue. We will respect the will of Parliament, whatever they decide."

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Pressed by host Stephen Dixon on whether people should be encouraged to "live their life to the fullest" despite a short prognosis, Nandy said: "Yes I think we should, and we should particularly make sure that all of the support is available for them to do that.

"That's one of the reasons why we wasted no time as a new Government in turning our attention to bringing down waiting lists in the NHS and working with councils for longer term funding settlements, so that we can start to deal with the crisis that we inherited in social care."

Nandy then argued: "But I think my observation is that having gone through several months of debate in Parliament about this, almost every MP, including myself, is very shaped in our views on this by our own personal experiences.

"And what we've managed to do collectively, is to ensure that no one experience is allowed to outweigh the other."

Responding to Robert Jenrick's criticism of the Bill, Nandy told GB News: "I really do listen to experiences like Robert Jenrick's family and take them seriously. There have been many examples given through the course of the debate.

"There have also been many, many examples of people who've had to end their lives in pain and suffering that could have been avoided, and I think people on the other side of the debate have taken those seriously as well.

"We've got to find a system that strikes the right balance, and I think the bill, as it currently is, does that."

Expressing his personal concerns for the Bill, Stephen told Nandy: "From my personal perspective, I always have supported the idea of it, but I don't know if I'm comfortable about it being brought forward in legislation. Something doesn't sit right with me on a personal level.

"One concern which has been raised time and time again is if this legislation if it is enacted, how does it get modified? How does it get changed?"

Nandy responded: "The Bill is drawn very tightly, so in that scenario it would have to return to Parliament to legislate again.

"There are a number of safeguards in the Bill, including through the courts and the need for more than one doctor to sign this off at the patient's request.

"So there are safeguards there, but I appreciate that for some people, this won't convince them that this is safe and will protect people."