Time to respect the right to die

IT IS wrong that British people in the most distressing circumstances should have to travel to Switzerland to secure help to die.

The new guidelines from the Director of Public Prosecutions identify the factors that will be taken into account when determining what action to take against someone who has assisted a suicide, but they do not deal with the fundamental issue.

The vast majority of people who are terminally ill will always seek to prolong life using whatever pain relief is available.

But there are some for whom the prospect of an intolerable death is unacceptable and who seek help to die. Their free will should be respected.

To deny this right to those who are no longer physically capable of putting their wishes into practice amounts to little better than torture.

The law in the Netherlands and Belgium provides clear safeguards to prevent abuse. Medical assistance may be provided to a terminally ill person, suffering intolerably, who has repeatedly indicated their wish to die in writing and to more than one doctor. It commands such public support that similar legislation has recently also been adopted by neighbouring Luxembourg. Parliament here should stop ducking the issue.

Chris Davies MEP, Liberal Democrat, North West

Should be free

I UNDERSTAND ambulances responding to red and amber emergency calls, using blue lights, get free use of the Mersey tunnels, but why not ambulances responding to green 999 calls, urgent and routine calls?

I feel the charging tariff does not fully reflect the role of the ambulance service and how they respond to calls.Š

Not all emergency 999 calls are responded to under blue light/siren conditions, but they are responding to emergencies nonetheless. I have read that the ambulance service pay approximately £45,000 a year to the Mersey Tunnels, and I feel this money could be better spent in the NHS Ambulance Service Trusts.

Another issue is there are now many other companies/charities providing support to the ambulance service, Šso many of these vehicles may need to use the tunnel for official NHS ambulance use, but obviously will not be NHS logo vehicles.

Andrew J Boyle, via email

Why get married?

A READER refers to Cheryl and Ashley Cole being heartbroken (Daily Post, February 25) with Cheryl, certainly, having been betrayed.

A national newspaper reports Ashley blames Cheryl’s mother. For what, one has to ask? Did she encourage Ashley to have these alleged affairs?

What nonsense these people state, instead of accepting blame.

One wonders why these so-called celebrities get married in the first instance when they are travelling hundreds (maybe thousands) of miles in their careers?

Sadly, these role models our young people follow are poor examples of lasting marriage and the vows they take.

Name and address supplied

Poor have to pay

IN THE working classes since the 1980s, we’ve had jobs exported from under us and cheap outside labour imported over our heads.

The missionaries of the free market economy would have a better chance of converting us if they didn’t act like cannibals. Now that the rich have lost their money on the wrong horse, they plead poverty and expect the poor to act like ragged a--ed (or trousered) philanthropists to save them. Free market economy – my a--e! As the voice of the people would say.

Brian Pritchard, Chester

Great evening

JUST to say, could you please say a very big “thank you” in the Daily Post for a truly wonderful evening at The Floral Pavilion on Sunday night.

From start to finish it was a fantastic evening had by all.

R Wood, Wallasey

Irresponsible driver

I COULD not agree more with your letter writer on Tuesday who complained about the irresponsible driver throwing litter out of the car window.

It just is not acceptable for people to do this. However, what is worse is people flicking cigarette butts from moving cars.

A few weeks ago, I was driving behind someone who did exactly that from their window. Unfortunately, I had my own car window open at the time and it actually shot into my car.

It landed in my lap and I luckily was not burned, but, had I been going a bit faster, I am not sure I would have been able to maintain control of the car with the shock of it.

I have heard of some people being prosecuted, but we should really clamp down on littering from cars. It is not only dirty it is dangerous.

J Kelly (Mrs), Southport

What’s happening?

I WAS delighted a few weeks ago when I read that work was starting to restore the dilapidated Festival garden site. However, driving past there every morning, I struggle to actually see any progress being made.

I realise after all those years of neglect it is going to be something of a big job. Please don’t tell me there has been some hold-up again.

T Moore, Garston