Barry Soper: Two new bills to vote on, and one Bill who likely will not be swayed

The ghost of Helen Kelly, who died last October after unsuccessfully battling for the liberalisation of medicinal cannabis and death with dignity, looms large. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Opinion

Complacency isn't a word that sits easy in the political arena, even though Bill English could be forgiven for privately indulging a bit when the One news/Colmar Brunton opinion poll came out the other night.

The poll would see National on its own commanding 59 seats in Parliament, just two short of the number it needs.

The Labour/Greens bloc wouldn't come anywhere near it, and even with the kingmaker Winston Peters climbing on board, it'd be a tie which means Act's David Seymour, needs to win Epsom and Peter Dunne has to take out Ohariu, which isn't a foregone conclusion.

But there is plenty of water to flow under the political bridge between now and polling day and this week's Parliamentary ballot is set to highlight just how conservative our current Prime Minister is.

Whether that's a good or bad thing will be known on polling day but Bill English has been around for long enough that few should be confused about his stand on moral issues.

Two bills have emerged from the ballot that'll allow MPs to exercise their consciences but for Bill English his mind will have already been made up.

It was pure coincidence that two bills were drawn that complement each other.

The first, appropriately from The Greens, would make it legal for any Kiwi suffering from a terminal illness, or any debilitating condition, to use cannabis or cannabis products after being prescribed to them by their doctor.

Sponsor Julie Anne Genter hit the nail on the head with her contention that no-one should have to live in pain because of an archaic, uncompassionate law.

For those who think Peter Dunne got in before her, softening the law for medicinal cannabis, she says think again.

His liberalisation would see product imported, driving up the cost, while Genter's says we can grow our own.

The American born Genter says New Zealand can finally catch up to the rest of the world on cannabis.

The other Bill to finally see the light of day comes from David Seymour and will allow people who're suffering from a terminal illness to be able to end their lives.

Seymour rightly says people should be able to end intolerable suffering and die with dignity surrounded by their loved ones.

The ghost of Helen Kelly, who died last October after unsuccessfully battling for the liberalisation of medicinal cannabis and death with dignity, looms large.

Let's hope the politicians now show the same courage.