The Post

Issue understood

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Ken Orr patronisin­gly states that ‘a lot of people don’t understand all the issues associated’ . . . with assisted dying (Euthanasia vote likely, Oct 25).

He further states that we should rely on MPs to ‘make a decision for the common good’. I am not convinced the majority of MPs have any more understand­ing of this issue than the New Zealand populace.

What the New Zealand populace does understand, and has demonstrat­ed in the recent Horizon poll of June 20, 2017, and Colmar Brunton Poll of July 15, 2017, is that they want an option to end unbearable suffering for themselves, at the end of their lives.

What could be more democratic than a binding referendum on this issue so that those who want a choice, have a choice, and those who don’t want the option will still be able to receive high-quality palliative care?

I doubt Ken Orr would like me or any other New Zealander telling him he doesn’t understand the issues.

Many of us understand all too well what it is to watch a loved one die in excruciati­ng pain, begging to be released from the agony and suffering, and being cruelly denied this last wish by people who believe they understand the issues better than the dying person. HELEN CARTMELL Silverstre­am

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