A large number of MPs spoke against legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia at a debate prompted by a mass petition in the House of Commons Monday.

Many of the speakers raised serious concerns that the elderly, sick and vulnerable would be pressurised into ending their lives for fear of being a burden.

Commenting on the exchanges, spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said it appears to be a policy area in which there is a genuine debate and openness of mind.

“Labour’s Shadow Minister for Disabilities Vicky Foxcroft, who voted in favour of assisted suicide in 2015, has since changed her mind and now opposes the practice due to concerns raised by people with disabilities who fear they will be adversely affected by a change in legislation”, she said.

“This particular debate is largely symbolic but is an opportunity for MPs and the public to learn from the mistakes of other jurisdictions such as Canada, where safeguards are rapidly being eroded including the removal of the requirement that a person be terminally ill to be eligible for an ‘assisted death’ and the planned expansion of ‘assisted dying’ on the grounds of mental illness alone from 2027”.