🇹🇭 🇬🇧 medical doctor, writer, lapsed classicist | author of 'Goodbye, Dr Banda: Lessons for the West from a Small African Country' (Polygon, May 2023)
London
Joined December 2011
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Thank you John for hosting me on the excellent @thinkingclasses podcast, and for such kind words about my book!
Check out the latest Thinking Class with @alexanderchula when it broadcasts tomorrow.
Alex and I talk about how a small African country (Malawi) can teach Britain more about the fruits of its civilisation than its current crop of cultural elites would care to know.
His book, Goodbye Dr. Banda, was published in 2023 and reviewed by no less than @NigelBiggar and Roger Scruton (prior to his passing and before Alex found a publisher). To get endorsements from such eminent thinkers tells you just how well written the book is. While I cannot match Lord Biggar's and Sir Scruton's heft, I can say hand on heart that it's one of the best book's I have read of its kind.
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Alexander Chula retweeted
I am the claimant in the Project Spire litigation, together with Rev Dr Jamie Franklin @jamiefranklin40. Story in The Times.
Alexander Chula retweeted
The legal challenge to Project Spire: spearheaded by me and @BijanOmrani.
We love the CofE and want the Church Commissioners to see sense and abandon this dubious project before it wastes even more money and causes further reputational damage.
thetimes.com/uk/religion/art…
Alexander Chula retweeted
Now it’s confirmed there will be assisted deaths due to poverty, could you comment on how frequent this is likely to be? Do you think in the hundreds or the thousands?
xitter.cf/nmdacosta/status/20121…
Alexander Chula retweeted
Responding to concerns about people requesting assisted death *because* of poverty, Lord Falconer makes the point that generally people who request AD are from high socioeconomic groups.
I wrote a thread last year on the inadequacy of this argument👇
xitter.cf/kesleeman/status/19338…
Lord Falconer confirms it again. Under the Starmer assisted suicide bill, some people will be given lethal drugs by the state because they are poor. “Your financial position might be an element.”
Key excerpts and full video:
Lord Falconer: “Choice is the key thing. Your financial position might be an element in what makes you reach a decision.”
Lord Harper: “I am slightly incredulous at this, so I just want to make sure I understand him correctly. He’s talking about…someone’s autonomy. If you are in a financial position where you feel that you are unable to live properly because you have no money, and as a result of that you decide that you want to end your life, that isn’t a freely reached decision. That is being done because of your circumstances.
Is he really saying that he’s OK with poor people ending their lives with the assistance of others because they’re poor? Because that is what it sounds like.”
Falconer: “I am saying that what this bill does is allow you to make your own decision.”
Harper: “I think people would be horrified that he is suggesting that somebody because of their financial circumstances should be more likely to end their life than somebody who isn’t.”
Falconer: “I’m saying it’s their choice.”
Alexander Chula retweeted
I’m concerned by some of the statements made in yesterday’s debate on the TIA Bill about marginalised groups and assisted dying.
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Why do advocates of assisted dying still enthuse over contributions which add nothing new to the debate? There is no argument here that was not already a commonplace when the bill was proposed, nothing that addresses the serious, complex concerns raised as the bill has progressed
Thank you to @AnthonyHorowitz writing in @NewStatesman for sharing his thoughts on the importance of giving terminally ill adults like his Mum choice and dignity in their dying days:
newstatesman.com/politics/so…
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Alexander Chula retweeted
Those in favour of assisted dying should be careful about sneering. This excellent point by @BarbaraRich_law reminds me of this excellent piece by @alexanderchula thecritic.co.uk/the-grim-rea…
Alexander Chula retweeted
I wish men and women who pen clichés like “dastardly relatives will arrange Agatha Christie-style exits for their elderly aunts” would once in their lifetime read something, anything contemporary and true about financial and testamentary abuse of older people and open their eyes
Opponents of assisted dying are denying people freedom to determine their own end, @AnthonyHorowitz writes
newstatesman.com/politics/so…
Alexander Chula retweeted
New exclusive interview with @alexanderchula: what lessons can the West learn from a small, poor African country like Malawi? @jamiefranklin40 in discussion on empire, slavery, Christian missionaries, NGOs and more!
Alexander Chula retweeted
A persuasive shortlist…including the essay from ALA author @alexanderchula who changed my mind about this issue.
Alexander Chula retweeted
Compare and contrast.
Totally rediculous to suggest the House of Lords would be acting in a constitutionally illegitimate way here. This wasn’t in the government’s manifesto. A numerical majority of the Commons didn’t even support it.
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Yes, this was a superb piece. Look out for @Docstockk 's forthcoming book on this subject, Do Not Go Gentle. What I've read of it so far is masterly, as you would expect. I note now available for pre-order...
3. @Docstockk on a much-abused word.
“The legalisation of euthanasia does nothing to increase dignity but provides new ways to undermine it, and especially in the present non-ideal context where social care is already underfunded and overstretched”.
unherd.com/2024/11/theres-no…
Hugely honoured to be included among such exalted company, let alone at the top of this list.
Thank you so much @ddhitchens - for this and for all your efforts in this important battle.
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Alexander Chula retweeted
1. @alexanderchula, fiercely, precisely and movingly, on politicians and (his) patients.
“These are lives damaged through abuse, neglect, deprivation, loneliness. The question is whether death is a valid solution.”
thecritic.co.uk/the-grim-rea…
Alexander Chula retweeted
It is not too late to put the brakes on assisted dying, and focus on improved palliative, social and end-of-life care
theguardian.com/commentisfre…
Alexander Chula retweeted
Check out the latest Thinking Class with @alexanderchula when it broadcasts tomorrow.
Alex and I talk about how a small African country (Malawi) can teach Britain more about the fruits of its civilisation than its current crop of cultural elites would care to know.
His book, Goodbye Dr. Banda, was published in 2023 and reviewed by no less than @NigelBiggar and Roger Scruton (prior to his passing and before Alex found a publisher). To get endorsements from such eminent thinkers tells you just how well written the book is. While I cannot match Lord Biggar's and Sir Scruton's heft, I can say hand on heart that it's one of the best book's I have read of its kind.
Alexander Chula retweeted
This is absolutely critical.
If a patient tells me they want to die, how would I know whether the appropriate response is suicide prevention or suicide assistance? What would this decision be based on - a hunch?
Lord Goodman (@PaulGoodmanCH) points out that psychiatrists are trained to help prevent suicide, not authorise it. Using the Mental Capacity Act to authorise assisted suicides would confuse the role of psychiatrists and even place them at criminal risk under this Bill.
Alexander Chula retweeted
Good.
This is a dangerous Bill, and it should be blocked.
Peers in fresh push to block assisted dying bill
theguardian.com/society/2025…
Alexander Chula retweeted
@alexanderchula is joining me on Thinking Class in November.
I bumped into Alex at @BijanOmrani's book launch earlier this year and enjoyed a conversation in passing.
Happily, Bijan reacquainted me with him and we now have the opportunity for a more in-depth conversation.
Tune in. He comes highly recommended.