Much is made of polling data by those who wish to press assisted suicide and/or euthanasia on the UK, with the implication being that opposition to such change is 'out of step', a 'niche viewpoint'. Sustained opposition to assisted suicide by our political leaders - demonstrated most recently by Prime Minister David Cameron - shows, however, that our evidence-based case is accepted at the heart of mainstream political opinion.

Opponents of assisted suicide are often told that they would think differently if they were personally affected. Such barbs are ill-considered at best, with the most vocal defence of the current legal protections coming from those working in palliative care and those who are disabled, and we might perhaps note that David Cameron, like Gordon Brown before him, speaks from extensive personal experience of caring for a disabled child.

David Cameron (Prime Minister since 2010, Conservative leader since 2005)

2006 letter

'I would not have voted for this or any Bill legalising euthanasia or assisted dying.'

He added that there was a fine line between 'allowing nature to take its course' and allowing doctors to accelerate death.

'I do not think we should tread over this line and we should not allow doctors or others positively to accelerate death - because I think the long-term consequences of permitting such action are too likely to be dangerous for society.

'I do not believe we should place anyone in this position (of being a burden) and believe that any such change in the law may have a profound impact on the relationship of terminally ill patients with their doctors.'

2010 Catholic Herald

'if assisted dying is legalised, there is a danger that terminally ill people may feel pressurised into ending their lives if they feel they've become a burden on loved ones. I don't believe anyone should be put in this position.'

2014 Telegraph

'I have not supported it in the past and I'm not planning on changing my position... My worry has always been about whether people will be unfairly pressurised. But it's a matter of conscience.'

Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister since 2010, Liberal Democrat leader since 2007)

2010 Independent

'morally very uncomfortable'

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister and Labour leader 2007-2010)

2010 Telegraph

'I was fascinated to discover that Lord Raglan, who had tried in vain to promote a Euthanasia Bill via the House of Lords in 1969, later publicly debated the issue with Dame Cicely [Saunders]. After he had heard her talk, he graciously conceded that, if he could be sure he could be looked after by her and her team, he would cheerfully abandon all his efforts to legalise euthanasia.

[...]

'The risk of pressures - however subtle - on the frail and the vulnerable, who may feel their existences burdensome to others, cannot ever be entirely excluded. And the inevitable erosion of trust in the caring professions - if they were in a position to end life - would be to lose something very precious. For when I think of the kind of care Sarah and I saw in our local hospice, where we worked as volunteers, I know in my heart that there is such a thing as a good death.'

Tony Blair (Prime Minister 1997-2007, Labour leader 1994-2007)

2001 PMQs

'I am not in favour of reviewing that legislation [the Suicide Act 1961]. I understand the strong feelings it arouses, but this is a matter of conscience for hon. Members on both sides of the House. I am afraid that I am not in favour of amending the Act.'

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