I have been contacted by many of my constituents about the assisted dying and end of life issues during the coming Parliament.
Assisted dying matters are difficult and anyone facing such decisions deserves the highest level of compassion and understanding. I firmly believe that the political discourse on both subjects should never distract from the importance of delivering high quality public services that can help to alleviate suffering or inform an individual’s decision on these matters.
A change in the law would only be made if it became the clearly expressed will of Parliament to do so. As such, my party has always maintained a position that a vote on assisted dying is a matter of conscience for the individual Member of Parliament.
My view is that I am not in favour of a change in the law at this stage, but I will of course consider very carefully any specific proposals when they are introduced in Parliament.