Dominic Lawson, the former national newspaper editor, is an articulate and well-informed critic of assisted suicide and euthanasia. As the father of a daughter with Down's Syndrome, he is particularly aware of the danger posed to the disabled, elderly and vulnerable by any change to the law. In this brilliant article, he provides a devastating critique of the most recent pro-euthanasia advocacy campaign.
Discussing the pro-euthanasia bully pulpit given to the well-known author Terry Pratchett by the supposedly neutral BBC, he points out the shoddy debating tactics and smears used:
"...Pratchett was interviewed by Jon Snow on Channel 4 News. He told Snow it was only “the far right” who argued that it would threaten the vulnerable and old if the law were changed to give blanket immunity against prosecution in such cases...Although Snow chose not to query Pratchett’s remark — national treasures may not be challenged on television under any circumstances — it was an outrageous thing to say. Anyone who has taken the trouble to study the voting records in parliament when it has debated this issue would have known that this matter is not predictable by political affiliation; for example, left-wing “old Labour” has always been much more opposed to legalisation of any form of euthanasia than the Blairites. When this topic was debated earlier in the month on BBC’s Question Time, the most excoriating attack on any change in the law came from George Galloway, the Respect MP."
Later, Lawson emphasises the absolutely key point that being against assisted suicide and euthanasia does not equate to arguing that people must be kept alive at all costs under all circumstances (in fact, it is intentional killing that is the problem, rather than e.g. withdrawing futile treatment).
"The truth in any case is that if someone feels he has become, in that horrible phrase, “a burden to his family”, he is absolutely entitled to refuse medical treatment — and certainly all invasive procedures. That is why it was so disingenuous of Lord Lester, who has acted as a legal adviser to Dignity in Dying, to declare that “not everyone wants doctors and nurses to strive to keep them alive”. Lord Lester, as a distinguished lawyer, must know no doctor could ever impose on him, while sentient, a treatment he does not wish to have, even if it were essential to preserve his life. As used to be said in such circumstances: he could turn his face to the wall.