On Friday 11th September the House of Commons debated the Assisted Dying Bill. There were eloquent, moving and well argued contributions from both sides of this important issue.
Many colleagues made the point that for an individual being diagnosed with a terminal illness, the need for the best end of life care is paramount and we need to improve the quality of this care. Coping with a terminal illness is distressing and difficult for both the patient and their families. These cases are truly moving and evoke the highest degree of compassion and emotion.
However, after careful consideration over a long period of time and having read the many letters sent by constituents, I was not convinced that this Bill was the right way to deal with this most difficult problem. Therefore, with over 300 colleagues, I voted against this Bill. I would like to thank everyone who got in touch with me about this, on both sides of the issue.