For all those who have suffered a harrowing death we're standing firmly on the side of compassion, dignity and choice
Daily Express|November 29, 2024
HAVING led the Express Give Us Our Last Rights crusade for almost three years, I believe with my heart and mind that we must change the law on assisted dying.
Hanna Geissler
For all those who have suffered a harrowing death we're standing firmly on the side of compassion, dignity and choice

I began researching the topic in late 2021, when my editors were hungry for injustices in need of correction that would resonate our readers.

It soon became clear that this was an area where our law - and Parliament - was wildly out of step with public opinion.

When the House of Commons last voted on assisted dying in 2015, MPs rejected a Bill seeking to legalise it for terminally ill people by 330 votes to 118. But as polling guru Professor Sir John Curtice said, public support for a careful, limited law change has been strong for decades.

In February 2022 I took a train to Suffolk where I met David Minns, a terminally ill cancer patient who described dying quickly of a heart attack as "a best case scenario".

As the afternoon sunlight streamed into the summer house in his garden, he explained with astonishing clarity and wisdom why people like him should have the right to request life-ending medication if their suffering becomes unbearable.

It remains one of the most moving interviews of my career. David, 75, told me: "I want to be able to choose the time which is right for me when I know that I can't go on any more, when my suffering has got to the stage where I want relief. I want to be able to die with dignity and be able to say my farewells to my family."

Like many in his position, he did not know if he would ultimately want an assisted death. But having the option would have eased the agony that marred his final weeks with wife Sue and son Matt a year later. And so, our campaign was launched with David's powerful appeal for compassion.

This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of Daily Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of Daily Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DAILY EXPRESSView All
I REMEMBER THINKING "WHERE ARE MY LEGS?'
Daily Express

I REMEMBER THINKING "WHERE ARE MY LEGS?'

Double amputee Martine Wright was the worst injured female survivor of the 7/7 London terror atrocities. Ahead of this year's 20th anniversary, she reveals why she chose happiness over hate through campaigning, motherhood and building a sense of purpose

time-read
7 mins  |
January 04, 2025
How another UK native could help give a boost to under-threat red squirrels
Daily Express

How another UK native could help give a boost to under-threat red squirrels

TORIES are urging ministers to save our red squirrels by reintroducing pine martens and making their grey cousins infertile.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Mortgage approvals are hit by low consumer confidence
Daily Express

Mortgage approvals are hit by low consumer confidence

THE number of mortgages approved by the UK banking sector fell faster than expected in November.

time-read
1 min  |
January 04, 2025
MO IS BACK FOR MORE
Daily Express

MO IS BACK FOR MORE

Red-hot Salah out to haunt United again as Arne's top boys smell blood at Anfield

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
HOWE TO DO IT
Daily Express

HOWE TO DO IT

Eddie has found right mix of exciting attack and rock-solid defence

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Blame City slump on me...not my_players
Daily Express

Blame City slump on me...not my_players

GUARDIOLA IS BAFFLED BY ALARMING DECLINE

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Kasper's career advice pays off for Jakub
Daily Express

Kasper's career advice pays off for Jakub

LOANS HELP GOALKEEPER

time-read
1 min  |
January 04, 2025
SKY THE LIMIT
Daily Express

SKY THE LIMIT

How Littler has taken pub game to the stratosphere

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
Jamie racks up big score
Daily Express

Jamie racks up big score

GEORGE'S 300 FOR SARRIES

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2025
FESTIVAL JUKEBOX ISSUE
Daily Express

FESTIVAL JUKEBOX ISSUE

Pauling ponders over his chaser's Cheltenham trip

time-read
1 min  |
January 04, 2025