Tom Gordon MP: speeches

Speeches

• 12 Mar 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Twenty-second sitting) · Hansard source

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  The hon. Lady has highlighted a few different legal cases from around the world; is she aware of the case currently going on in Spain, where a family member is challenging his daughter’s wish to have an assisted death? That challenge has been funded by religious groups—Christian groups—and is not actually going through the parent. He had the option and ability to raise the case, and it has then been funded and hijacked by outside groups. How would the hon. Lady see her amendment as helping to protect against that sort of thing?

• 12 Mar 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Twenty-third sitting) · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman will have to forgive me, because I am a relatively new MP and there are still bits of parliamentary procedure that I have not yet got my head round, but is it not the case that MPs will have a say on Report, when they can table amendments to take the Bill back to how it was? That point could therefore be debated on Report.

• 12 Mar 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Twenty-third sitting) · Hansard source

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  I speak only one language and it is definitely not Welsh, even though I did have a stint working in Wales. With any language, things can be lost in translation. When we are talking about something like assisted dying, does the Minister acknowledge that even with very skilled interpreters, there would have to be a suitable level of training to make sure that everything was fully thought through and there were no cracks—that nothing would slip through the net. That is not covered under the Welsh Language Act currently, and that is why the amendment has been tabled. Does she appreciate the severity of that?

• 11 Mar 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Twenty First sitting) · Hansard source

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  The point that the hon. Member makes is, I think, exactly the case—raising this conversation and talking about it is probably not in anyone’s best interests in the first instance. I think about my own situation. If I were to find myself terminally ill and falling within the scope of this law, and my mum had passed away, then my dad, who I have not spoken to in over a decade, with whom I have a very difficult and estranged relationship, would have to be notified and we would have to have a conversation about it. On my deathbed, the last thing I want to be thinking about is some childhood trauma being brought back before me in the confines of that terminal illness. Does the hon. Member agree that, while the intention might be good, the consequences could be damaging to the patient and their best interests?

• 11 Mar 2025 · North Sea Vessel Collision · Hansard source

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  I have been in communication with Liberal Democrat councillors in the East Riding of Yorkshire and also the Liberal Democrat administration in Hull. Yesterday, the leader of the council, Mike Ross, raised the call for a rapid response from Government, and I really push the Minister to provide clarity on what exactly we should be seeing from a tactical co-ordination group and whether there is Government commitment to cover any environmental or economic impact. Moreover, what more support will we see down the line if there are long-term consequences as a result of the pollution?

• 6 Mar 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I recently visited the beautiful village of Burton Leonard in my constituency for the 100th anniversary of its women’s institute branch. Will the Leader of the House join me in celebrating the fact that it has made it to 100 and hope that it has many more years to come? Will she also consider whether there is time for a Government debate on the importance of local community organisations and how we can ensure that they have funding support?

• 5 Mar 2025 · Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating Services · Hansard source

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  I congratulate my friend, the hon. Member for Cannock Chase (Josh Newbury), on securing this debate. As was mentioned, I used to work for the type 1 diabetes charity JDRF, as it was then—it is now Breakthrough T1D. We used to regularly have meetings with Ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care. One of the key things that I and, I am sure, Members across the House would like to see is the new Government taking up the recommendations of the report by Theresa May and Sir George Howarth. Will the Minister agree to meet the APPG for diabetes to talk about how those recommendations can be implemented?

• 27 Feb 2025 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  I recently met volunteers who run the Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music, Speech and Drama, a charity that has been going for almost 90 years. It has over 250 different classes and categories, 800 entries to its competitions, and more than 1,300 children taking part every year. I heard about how it gives confidence, and boosts people’s skills and ability to speak and perform in front of large audiences. The charity used to receive funding from the local authority, but that has been stopped since 2016. Will the Leader of the House allow for a debate in Government time on the importance of supporting the performing arts?

• 26 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting) · Hansard source

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  I think there is already broad consensus in this country: people would like the option of assisted dying. Polling shows overwhelming support for it. I accept that there are disagreements about what the option looks like, but this is not something that people have never thought about before and would suddenly pop into their minds; they have been talking about it for decades and decades. What would the hon. Gentleman say to that?

• 26 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fourteenth sitting) · Hansard source

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  When people are in what is often termed a “crisis”, that would indicate that they are not in a situation where they have capacity. I do not see how the hon. Gentleman can think that it is reasonable to make a comparison between these two things; they are entirely different, and I am sure everyone here would broadly agree with that—I think, on this one, he is sort of on his own. Would the hon. Gentleman be able to offer any further insight into why he thinks that two wildly different situations are analogous—one is in a medical context where people have all the safeguards, and that layer of security and checking, and the other is someone who might be doing something in a moment of desperation?

• 26 Feb 2025 · Child Maintenance Service · Hansard source

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  The Minister mentioned that the taskforce would look at all options. Would that include scrapping the two-child benefit cap?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Twelfth sitting) · Hansard source

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  Marie Curie’s definition of a terminal illness is “an illness or condition which cannot be cured and is likely to lead to someone’s death”. It is obviously one of the best-known end of life charities, so how does the hon. Member reconcile the differences he has with its professional expertise?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Thirteenth sitting) · Hansard source

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  They would need to come within the definition of a terminal illness. I will come that later in my speech. We must recognise the reality of neurodegenerative diseases. There are other conditions where prognosis follows a clear trajectory. People with conditions such as MND and Parkinson’s experience a slow but relentless decline. Their suffering can be profound long before they meet the six-month prognosis requirement that is currently in the Bill. Let us look at some real-life stories. Mary Kelly is a bright and sharp-witted woman from Middlesbrough. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year, Mary knows that she faces many years of deterioration. She said: “It would make the world of difference to know that assisted dying was legal and available. I’d know if I’m not finding joy, I can end it peacefully. It would make the intervening years so much more peaceful, loving, and relaxed.” Parkinson’s-related dementia affects a third of those with the condition. If Mary loses capacity before a doctor confirms her eligibility, she will be denied the very right that the Bill aims to uphold. If we do not amend the Bill, people like Mary will lose their autonomy precisely when they need it most. We must also consider the experience of people like Phil Newby, who was diagnosed with MND a decade ago. Phil fought to challenge the UK’s ban on assisted dying, taking a case to the High Court in 2019. He is the last living person who took one of the court cases involving assisted dying. Phil knows that the uncertainty of prognosis leaves too many in limbo. He said: “People with neurodegenerative diseases often suffer a cognitive decline in the later stages. Twelve months would give a much greater chance for a civilised death to those suffering from the most devastating illnesses.” We must ensure that those voices are not ignored in this conversation. Imagine a scenario in which someone with MND applies for an assisted death. They tell their friends, family and loved ones. They begin to make preparations, including signing the written declaration, but they cannot get approval until a doctor says they have six months left. They wait. Their condition gets worse. They suffer choking fits, have feeding tubes fitted, and experience a slow and cruel deterioration. Finally, they receive approval from the first doctor, but before they can get to a second doctor, they begin to lose capacity. They are still suffering. Their family know their clear and settled wish, but they have no chance of a second approval, and especially no chance of approval from a panel. They will be potentially consigned to a death of agony and pain, despite everyone knowing that it is not how they would like to die. Their family must watch on, helpless. The loss of competency is one of the greatest fears for those with neurodegenerative conditions. The Bill currently states that a person must have full mental capacity at the time of their assisted death, which is an important safeguard. However, people who develop MND can have their decision making impaired, and around 50% experience some form of cognitive decline. In New Zealand, where there is a six-month limit, many people lose their decision-making capacity before they can proceed. By contrast, in Victoria in Australia, where there is a 12-month limit for neurodegenerative conditions, only 7% lose competency. If we do not amend the Bill, we risk condemning those people to a fate they fought to avoid. We must also recognise the difficulty in predicting life expectancy for those with neurodegenerative conditions. Prognosis is not an exact science. I am fairly sure that everyone agrees on that—people have made those points repeatedly. The Court of Appeal has acknowledged that a six-month prognosis cannot be made with certainty for many terminal illnesses. That is one of the most difficult things that I have had to grasp as part of the Committee. To impose what could seem like an arbitrary threshold on those with unpredictable conditions is unfair and unnecessary. Moreover, let us look at international examples. Many UK residents who have to travel to Switzerland for an assisted death do not have six months or less to live. If we end up with a six-month limit, we will still see people having to travel to Switzerland or other jurisdictions to ensure that they have access to an assisted death. I worry how people in this country would feel about that —particularly those families who might wish to accompany their loved ones on that journey, with the legal consequences that could follow. Recent polling shows that two thirds of Brits support an amendment that would allow people with neuro-degenerative diseases access to an assisted death. We know that 85% of people living with multiple system atrophy who gave their views in an MSA Trust survey support such a change in the law. This is not a minor or niche concern. Every year, motor neurone disease alone kills 2,200 people in the UK, which is six people per day. Some 45% of people living with MND say they would consider an assisted death if the law changed. It is not a hypothetical scenario: these are real people, making real choices about how they wish to live and die. My amendment would not overload the system. Experience from overseas tells us that jurisdictions such as Victoria and other Australian states already have a 12-month system for neurodegenerative conditions, and it works. New Zealand, which maintains a six-month limit, has seen people unable to qualify, and is looking at what it can do to ensure greater access. We must also listen to the written and oral evidence from expert witnesses. Professor Meredith Blake and Chloe Furst testified to the importance of a 12-month eligibility period, not just for fairness but for the practicality of allowing patients to navigate the process in time. Everyone wants to see a Bill that is about dignity. If it is truly about that, we must ensure that it works for those who need it most. It is not about opening the floodgates or trying to expand the criteria. It is about ensuring equal access. From speaking to colleagues across the Committee, I know that a lot of thought and consideration has gone into this issue. With that in mind, I will not push the amendment to a vote, but it is important that the voices of people with neurodegenerative diseases are considered as part of the process.

• 25 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Thirteenth sitting) · Hansard source

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  I find this a little bit baffling, because we had a comprehensive list of witnesses that we were able to circulate in advance. The format in which those oral evidence sessions were held was really helpful and informative. We were able to ask questions, and as the hon. Member for Ipswich mentioned, we were interacting with people and families. We heard from Pat, who gave oral evidence about his sister who had to go to Dignitas. Again, it was not just a small figure; a number of people brought this issue up. Could the hon. Member reflect on that?

• 25 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Thirteenth sitting) · Hansard source

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  It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. I speak in support of amendment 234, which is tabled in my name and seeks to ensure that people suffering from neurodegenerative conditions are not excluded from the dignity and autonomy that the Bill seeks to provide. The amendment would extend the eligibility period for those with neurodegenerative conditions from six months to 12 months—a simple yet crucial change that could alleviate needless suffering and ensure fairness in our approach to end of life care. The intention of the amendment is to change the law to match that in five of the six Australian states. The wording mirrors that found in those jurisdictions. Conditions that would be affected by the change include motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinson’s and many others. Although Alzheimer’s is a neuro-degenerative condition, those with Alzheimer’s would not be eligible for an assisted death should the amendment pass because they would not have the mental capacity.

• 25 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Thirteenth sitting) · Hansard source

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  Prior to being elected to Parliament, I worked for a type 1 diabetes charity—I feel like I have been saying that a lot recently. When we talk about diabetes, we often do not consider the fact that there are different types, including type 1, type 2 and gestational. They are not all akin, or the same. Furthermore, the NHS in its own language has referred to it as “a lifelong condition”, rather than a disease or anything that is terminal. How would the hon. Lady reflect on that?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Social Media Use: Minimum Age · Hansard source

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  Prior to entering Parliament, I worked for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a type 1 diabetes charity, and one of the issues that came to light when this measure was previously proposed by the Government was the fact that children who might need to use their phones to monitor their type 1 diabetes, or who have parent carer’s responsibilities, need to have an exemption. That creates a stigma between children who might have a medical requirement to use their mobile device and those who do not. How would the hon. and learned Gentleman see this measure interacting with that?

• 24 Feb 2025 · Retail Crime · Hansard source

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  Harrogate has a wealth of independent stores that attract people to the town from across the region—including shoplifters, unfortunately. I have been speaking with Harrogate business improvement district about what it can do to help tackle shoplifting. It has an increasingly good relationship with North Yorkshire police. What steps is the Minister taking to encourage North Yorkshire police and other police organisations to work with local community and business organisations to crack down on shoplifting?

• 13 Feb 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  When the previous Government cancelled High Speed 2, they promised more than £4 billion for projects in the north and the midlands. Do the Government still plan to deliver on that, and when should we expect to see that money in the north?

• 13 Feb 2025 · Local Bus Services · Hansard source

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  Last week I held a two-hour question and answer session with Disability Action Yorkshire. One issue that came up was the inability of disabled people to use their bus passes before 9 o’clock, limiting them in getting to work, accessing leisure opportunities or seeing family and friends. Does the Minister agree that one of the best ways to improve local bus access would be to be allow disabled people to use their passes before 9 o’clock?

• 12 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting) · Hansard source

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  I want to make two points that reflect on the oral evidence that we heard. I cannot remember exactly which witness it was, but someone said something along the lines of there being something quite British about feeling a bit like a burden. That point really stuck with me, because we say it all the time and that was the point made by the person giving evidence. When we talk about the amendment in the context of someone acting for their own sake or for the benefit of others and whether that means that they feel like a burden or otherwise, I think that is something to bear in mind. Might the hon. Member reflect on the fact that people who die natural deaths also feel like a burden at the end of their life? So when we talk about stats pertaining to that, how do we decipher between the two?

• 12 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting) · Hansard source

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  I just wondered whether the right hon. Member shares my concerns that the amendment would end up in the territory of legislators and parliamentarians almost trying to act as thought police, when we should be respecting the autonomy of people in the decisions they make.

• 12 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting) · Hansard source

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  I completely understand where the hon. Lady is coming from, but this is the conflict between someone feeling like a burden because of their own personal choice and autonomy, and how those might impact other people in their surroundings. Does she accept that among the reasons that many people might want to access an assisted death is that they do not want to lose that autonomy? That is not necessarily anything to do with feeling like a burden on other people; it is about their own choice.

• 12 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Eleventh sitting) · Hansard source

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  Can the hon. Member elaborate on what the amendment would add that previous amendments we have debated would not?

• 12 Feb 2025 · Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Tenth sitting) · Hansard source

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  The hon. Lady uses the term “encouragement”. If I were in a situation where a loved one wanted to access assisted dying, and I said I supported their wishes, would that fall under the scope of encouragement? We do not want to end up in a situation where people who support their loved ones end up dragged through a legal process, when it is actually the case that they are there to enable their wishes, rather than pushing them to it. How would she differentiate between those?