MPs soon have a once-in-a-generation chance to vote for the assisted dying bill. Wes Streeting must not derail it

That is a low blow, health secretary. On a matter of life, death and personal freedom, the debate should be elevated above this. Wes Streeting cheapens discussion on the right to die by suggesting there is no money to pay for a doctor to hand a dying patient the lethal dose they request. Disingenuously, he suggests that finding the funding would mean cuts to other services. It would have “resource implications” that would “come at the expense of other choices”. He made this unevidenced assertion before asking his department to look at any possible costs that implementing the legislation could incur. If he really wants to bring in the crude question of cash, I assume his department will assess savings in bed-days and staff time from those who choose to depart intensive end-of-life care a little sooner.

In two weeks’ time, parliament will vote on Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill. The process would require two doctors to sign witnessed statements from a mentally competent patient who has been diagnosed as likely to die within six months. Then the application must be heard by a high court judge, who can question doctor or patient. Then there must be a 14-day pause before the patient self-administers life-ending medication. It is such a long process that many may die waiting in agony.

Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist