Winchester and District http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/winchester-and-district Just another Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland weblog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:10:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en International Women’s Day Debate http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/winchester-and-district/2010/03/10/international-womens-day-debate/ http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/winchester-and-district/2010/03/10/international-womens-day-debate/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:45:34 +0000 winchester-and-district http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/winchester-and-district/?p=136 This event was held at the University of Winchester.  It was well attended and provided a stimulating and though-provoking debate on the controversial and topical issue of assisted dying.

Debbie Thrower chaired the debate with charm and authority.  We had four excellent speakers, each of whom spoke with passion and conviction.  Sandra Gidley, MP for Romsey and Shadow Health Minister, spoke for the motion and was supported by Professor Paul Badham, Patron of Dignity in Dying.  Dr Tony Calland, Chair of the BMA Ethics Committee opposed the motion and he was supported by Revd George Pitcher, Daily Telegraph Religion Editor.

Once they had made their respective cases, the debate was open to the floor and there was no shortage of questions or additional comments.  After summations from each speaker, the vote was taken.

Motion:

This house believes in the right of the individual to choose assisted suicide

Result of the vote:

  • For 66%
  • Against 28%
  • Abstain 6%

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