Midland MP Lorely Burt will be at the heart of one of the most controversial and high-profile debates during the Liberal Democrat conference when she calls for new laws allowing doctors to help patients end their lives.
But she will be opposed by the West Midlands’ other Liberal Democrat MP, Birmingham MP John Hemming, who has backed activists demanding there should be no change in the law.
The debate on medically assisted dying will be held during the Liberal Democrat annual conference in Brighton, the first of the conferences held by the three major parties this autumn.
Other motions to be debated include one demanding that the Government scrap plans to introduce “local pay” in the public sector.
George Osborne, the Chancellor, is backing proposals which would mean public sector workers in the Black Country or outer Birmingham earn lower salaries than those in the centre of the city, based on a scheme already operating in the criminal justice system.
But activists are likely to approve a motion ordering their Ministers in the coalition government, including Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, to oppose any attempt to extend the scheme to other public services.
Activists will also discuss aviation policy, and are likely to back a motion opposing a third runway at Heathrow, and any new runway at any other airport, and calling instead for the nation to make better use of airports which are currently under-used, including Birmingham.
However, the motion also includes a call for a new study to consider whether a brand new hub airport is needed somewhere in the country.
Ms Burt (Lib Dem Solihull), who was recently appointed as an aide to senior Treasury Minister Danny Alexander, is due to speak in support of a motion called “medically assisted dying”, which backs “legislation providing for medical assistance to die to be available to patients in particular circumstances, subject to rigorous safeguards to prevent abuse.”
It would apply to patients with conditions “with no hope of recovery” who are unable to end their own lives without help.
If it is approved, the motion would require Liberal Democrat ministers to push for a government bill to be introduced. However, MPs would then have a free vote, allowing them to oppose the Bill if they chose.
Ms Burt said: “There are people who are fearful of being left in a state where their quality of life is gone and they are not able to make their own decisions.
