I continue to receive a huge amount of correspondence on the Assisted Dying Bill currently before Parliament.
This is a profoundly sensitive and deeply personal issue. I want to begin by acknowledging that many people support this bill out of compassion — often informed by painful personal experiences of watching loved ones suffer. I have the utmost respect for those views, and I recognise that they are held with sincerity and care.
The bill proposes to allow terminally ill adults, expected to die within six months, to seek assistance in ending their lives. It passed its first reading in the House of Commons in November, and since then, MPs have been considering numerous amendments. On Friday, the House debated further proposed changes, including restricting how the option of assisted dying could be discussed by medical professionals. Unfortunately, there was insufficient time to complete the debate or vote on amendments. That process is due to resume on 13 June, when further votes will be held — including, potentially, a vote on whether the bill should proceed to the next stage.
The government is taking a neutral stance on this bill, and MPs have been given a free vote. I have listened closely to all sides of the debate and read the proposed legislation with care. While I appreciate the intentions behind the bill, I remain opposed to it.
In my view, the potential risks — particularly to those who are vulnerable, elderly, disabled or without strong support networks — are too great. I fear that even with safeguards, there is a danger of subtle coercion, a loss of trust in the care system, and the normalisation of assisted death as an option for those who may simply feel like a burden. I am not willing to accept what I believe could be collateral damage to the most vulnerable in our society.
Instead, I believe our efforts should be focused on improving access to high-quality palliative care, so that every person facing the end of life receives comfort, dignity, and support.
I will continue to engage with this issue in a respectful and thoughtful manner as the bill progresses through Parliament, and I remain grateful to all those — on both sides — who have taken the time to write and share their perspectives.
