MP: Donor law change would fill me with pride
SAVING hundreds of lives a year would be the cherry on the cake for veteran Labour politician Geoffrey Robinson.
The Mirror-backed Change the Law for Life campaign would top the list of achievements for the Coventry MP, 42 years in Parliament.
More than 500 die every year awaiting a heart, kidney or liver transplant. Robinson said: “If we get the law changed there’s no question this will be my greatest satisfaction.
“This will save people from dying needlessly. I’d take enormous pride if I was able to play a small part.
“The scandal is we didn’t do this earlier. It would be a tragedy for the families of those who could’ve lived if we throw away this opportunity.”
Robinson continually phones and emails MPs in every party to cajole enough of them into being in Parliament on Friday.
Unless 100 turn up to vote for his Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill, a maverick could block it by filibustering – talking non-stop until time ran out.
Robinson said: “We’re leaving nothing to chance. There is huge political enthusiasm for changing the law yet I understand some MPs will have commitments in constituencies that Friday.”
His Bill would end the Mirror’s two-year fight to Change the Law for Life and England would follow Wales and Scotland in deeming we agree to donate organs for transplant unless we register to say No.
Robinson, 79, whose bill backed by Prime Minister Theresa May and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, said: “People hate to talk about death, when a death in the family is a traumatic pain, but it is a discussion we must have in good time before it is too late.”