Brother's Despair as Lords Block Assisted Dying Bill on Sister's Death Anniversary
On the second anniversary of his sister Paola Marra's death, Tony Marra is set to protest outside parliament, despairing over the House of Lords' blockage of the assisted dying bill. Paola, who died at age 53 in March 2024 after battling terminal breast and bowel cancer, ended her life at Dignitas in Switzerland, leaving behind a poignant legacy documented in photographs and a film by Rankin.
Paola's Journey and Final Plea
Paola Marra, a Canadian-born former music industry and charity worker, made a solo journey from north London to Zurich, fearing legal repercussions for her brother if he accompanied her. In a powerful interview with the Guardian, she expressed, "I'm not scared to die. I'm scared of dying in pain." She argued that the UK's lack of legalisation forces those unable to afford the £15,000 cost to endure painful deaths or take their own lives.
Political Stalemate and Protest
The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, which passed the Commons with a majority of 55 last year, is now stuck in the House of Lords. With only three days of debate left before the king's speech in May, over 1,200 amendments—mostly from opponents—have been tabled, leading to accusations of filibustering. Tony Marra, 57, has flown from Canada to join campaigners in Parliament Square, organised by Dignity in Dying, to highlight this delay.
Tony Marra stated, "It's shocking that there's just a handful of peers blocking progress in allowing compassionate assisted dying. It's too late for Paola, but I'm thinking of her friends with terminal illnesses who want change." He emphasised that public and political support for assisted dying with strict controls is high, with polls showing around three-quarters in favour.
Personal Impact and Legacy
Marra revealed that Paola had to travel alone to Switzerland earlier than desired to ensure she was well enough, costing her precious time with loved ones. "She didn't want that pain and those side-effects," he said, adding that assisted dying can be a beautiful, controlled end after years of disease. Despite efforts by over 100 Labour MPs to urge Keir Starmer to allocate more time, the bill appears likely to fail.
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, noted, "Paola's death has a lasting legacy. Her voice has changed this debate forever, but people still face impossible choices until parliament finishes the job." This protest underscores the ongoing struggle for legal reform in the UK.
