A Sun columnist and commentator has called for “euthanasia vans” because she feels that there are “far too many old people.”
Katie Hopkins, who has gained a degree of celebrity status for her outspoken and controversial statements, made the remarks in an interview with the Radio Times.
In the interview with Michael Buerk, Hopkins said: “We just have far too many old people.”
Euthanasia Vans
When asked what she would propose, she said: “Easy. Euthanasia vans—just like ice-cream vans—that would come to your home.”
Hopkins added: “It would all be perfectly charming. They might even have a nice little tune they’d play. I mean this genuinely. I’m super-keen on euthanasia vans.”
The columnist expressed her views as legislation on introducing assisted suicide is being prepared for Parliament.
Labour MP Rob Marris has tabled an assisted suicide Bill which has been described as “essentially the same” as Lord Falconer’s Bill, which failed to pass in the last Parliament. MPs will vote on the issue on Friday, Sep. 11.
Vulnerable People
Last month an association of specialists in the care of the elderly expressed staunch opposition to assisted suicide.
The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) released a statement saying the group is “concerned with protecting the interests of vulnerable older and disabled people who already feel pressure to give up their lives to reduce the burden they feel they cause to others.”
The statement continues: “Crossing the boundary between acknowledging that death is inevitable and taking active steps to assist the patient to die changes fundamentally the role of the physician, changes the doctor-patient relationship and changes the role of medicine in society.”
A recent poll carried out by the Campaign to End Loneliness found that 1 in 5 elderly people who feel isolated say they have nobody to turn to.
