The British Parliament has passed a Bill to allow for “assisted dying”. The phrase “assisted dying” was unknown twenty years ago. We might have heard “mercy killing” or “euthenasia”. It is a softer phrase. We talk about the “right to die”.

All rights boil down to…Money. When Slavery became uneconomic, the movement to abolish it grew. Likewise the right of women to vote or have access to contraception or abortion.

To be clear, I believe in “assisted dying”. I have watched parents and elderly relatives suffer physically and mentally. I do not wish that for myself or my family to watch me.

But we have to face the fact that it is …in part…about economics.

Today my wife and I are celebrating 42 years of marriage. When we said “I do”, we had no idea how it would all work out for us. Two sons, two daughters-in-law, six grandchildren (one an angel). I think we prioritised Decency above material success.

But obviously thru education, we had good jobs and now we reap the benefit thru two state pensions and two other “employers” pensions. And we have a house…and there are no sweeter words than “mortgage free”.

And this house is our childrens legacy. In the normal course of events the proceeds of our house will go to our family.

Or will that happen?

Will our house be an asset that will be taken from us to pay for our final years in a nursing home.

In many ways longevity is a matter of luck. At 72 and 66 we are in good health. Will we reach 92 and 86? I know people of advanced age who are healthy.

Assisted Dying is a difficult concept. The British law will not apply in Scotland and Norn Iron. But as proposed, the person contemplating their own death will have to have a terminal illness and not be expected to live beyond six months. The proposed death would have to be signed off by two doctors and a judge.

Is that enough safeguard to protect the vulnerable from exploitation by unscrupulous and greedy children?

I suppose I could answer that by saying that I trust myself to know if I am making the right choice. And just as important, I trust my sons.

It will not apply in Norn Iron.

But realistically I would not expect my wife or sons to be prosecuted if they facilitated a trip to Switzerland or any other country where euthenasia is legal. I suppose the trip would be expensive but at least for one of us, it would be a one way trip. My ashes can make the return trip as hand luggage.

Outstanding questions…can Depression (to the extreme extent of not wanting to live) be considered a good reason?

And I think all of us know an elderly person who has devoted most of their lives to looking after a child (later adult) with severe disability.

My mother died unhappily in a nursing home. She was 90 years old. She regarded it as “the workhouse”.

I do not want to be in her nursing home/workhouse. My life now is actually quite good. Family of course and a 2 year old cat (Stripey) and a 2 year old labrador. I have my books, football programmes and 2,500 plastic toy soldiers. I do not want to give all this up for communal living with strangers, singalongs of 1960s songs, two unhappy budgies in a small cage in the reception area. And a lady with a labrador coming every week so I can pet the dog.