MPs 'oppose assisted suicide move'

More than seven out of ten MPs refuse to back calls to legalise assisted suicide, according to a new poll.

The poll found that just 29% of MPs back moves to introduce assisted suicide, while 59% were opposed and 12% were undecided.

The survey of more than 150 MPs, conducted by ComRes, asked MPs from all parties about their views on assisted suicide.

Opposition was especially fierce in Scotland, where 86% of MPs opposed new legalisation.

The poll also found that a majority of MPs believe that if the current laws were changed there would be an increase in suicides and that vulnerable people would feel under pressure to end their lives while fewer than one third of MPs (30%) felt that changing the law would not lead to an increase in suicides.

More than seven out of ten MPs (72%) felt that if doctors were allowed to prescribe lethal drugs to patients on request, vulnerable people could feel under pressure to opt for suicide.

Almost 60% of those surveyed said legalising assisted suicide in the current economic climate would increase the risk that vulnerable people would opt for suicide so as not to be a financial burden upon loved ones.

Dr Peter Saunders, campaign director of Care Not Killing, said: "Any change in the law to allow assisted suicide would put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives and these pressures will be particularly acute at a time when many sick, elderly and disabled people are struggling to make ends meet.

"Fortunately, a clear majority of MPs recognise this and agree that assisted suicide should not be legalised."

The poll also found that majorities in all political parties disagreed with the statement that legalising assisted suicide is a key priority at the present time with just 5% of Labour MPs supporting this statement.