Philip and Clare are on opposing sides on the issue of assisted dying.
Last year, Sky News filmed them as they watched the country debate whether to change the law to allow it.
Now, the pair meet each other for the first time to let the country watch them debate.
Warning: This article contains descriptions of assisted dying and suicide throughout
Meet Clare
My name’s Clare and I live on a farm in North Devon. I’ve got two fabulous daughters, Chloe and Izzy. I have stage 4 breast cancer.
I’ve been campaigning for the assisted dying bill [Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill] to pass through Parliament. I’m looking forward to meeting Philip. I hope it’s not going to be an argument.
Meet Philip
The name’s Philip, and I’m from the Midlands where I live with my wife Pauline. I was given six months to live last year, I should be dead right now.
I’ve got pancreatic cancer. I’m against assisted dying – or assisted suicide, as I call it. I feel terribly sorry for Clare. I want nobody to be suffering.
The pair meet in Bristol – halfway between their addresses.
After greeting with a hug, Philip tells Clare his mother died of cancer when he was a young teenager.
Philip: She said, ‘God, please either heal me or take me.’ I realised that my mum must have believed and trusted in God. Now I keep saying to the doctor that I pray God will stop the cancer growing.
Clare: I think I’m similar about Mother Earth. Whilst I’m not a Christian, I’ve always had this acceptance and understanding that I’m part of a natural cycle.
I don’t have that need to fight death as much as I’m hearing from you.
Philip: I’m not aware of fighting, because in my terms, it would be a sheer waste of time.
Clare tells Philip she would like a “good death”.
Clare: In my garden, with my daughters, preferably one of them playing her guitar – it’s my paradise. I would like to have the choice, whether I took it up or not at the last minute, at a time and place of my choosing, when death is close, to be able to take something to hasten my death.
Philip: There could be a cure for what you and I have got, but we just don’t know. You don’t know what miracle is around the corner, and if you commit suicide, you’re robbing yourself of that opportunity.
Both agree that breaking the news of their diagnoses to their children was the hardest part of cancer. Clare says the disease has turned her liver “20 shades of grey”.
Clare: It’s pretty much gone to all my bones, except for my hands and feet.
Philip: Horrible.
Clare: Then there’s also the treatment. Did you have any Docetaxels?
Philip: I’m very grateful I have refused it all.
Clare: Have you not had any chemotherapy?
Philip: I’ve had nothing.
Philip warns Clare that if the Terminally Ill Adults Bill is approved, vulnerable people could be pressured into taking their own life. He’d rather leave his death in God’s hands.
Philip: I want to do what God says. So, I’m against assisted dying on those principles of the fact that no matter what safeguards you put in, you’re breaking, what I understand to be God’s plan and purpose.
Clare: When I got my diagnosis, the first thing I said to my consultant was, “well, thank goodness I can take my own life”. I’d been very consistent, and I was on my own in the room, nobody else with me. And I think I’m a sort of bright, intelligent person.
Philip: I didn’t say you weren’t.
Clare: I really understand the power of coercive control, the insidious nature of it.
Philip: I feel sorry for the poor suckers who are with you.
Clare: My daughters?
Philip: They’ve got to live with the fact that you died and they let you.
Clare: My daughters are completely supportive of assisted dying.
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Clare says dying should be a personal choice.
Clare: It’s not about other people with terminal life-limiting disease or people with disabilities. It’s purely an option for Clare Turner.
Philip: If they alter the law for Clare Turner, they’ve got to alter it for everybody.
Clare: At the moment, over 300 people with terminal illnesses take their own life in pretty miserable situations, quite often alone, every year.
Philip: It’s financial. If it’s costing hundreds of thousands to look after you, just think what we could save if we bumped 20 of you off.
Clare: I find that quite offensive, Philip.
Clare: I guess I’m just not a cynical person.
Philip: I’m not a cynical person. I’m facing reality. I see how it’s been applied in other countries.
Show me Canada and Belgium have never altered their laws with regards to assisted suicide. You can’t. They’ve altered them totally.
Before they say goodbye, Clare gifts Philip honey made by bees that visit her garden.
Philip gives Clare a box of chocolates called Heroes.
“Anybody who is battling with cancer is a hero not to quit,” he says.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK.
In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
