Last Friday, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returned to the House of Commons for its Report Stage.
After careful thought and extensive engagement with constituents and experts, I again made the difficult decision that I cannot in good conscience support this Bill.
Many MPs voted for this Bill at Second Reading in November despite serious misgivings, in the hope and expectation that it would be improved during Committee.
That simply has not happened.
In fact, the entire process has underlined why this is such a troubling and flawed piece of legislation.
I remain deeply concerned about the lack of robust safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals, the potential pressure it places on those who feel they are a burden, and the limited scrutiny that Private Members' Bills receive by nature.
I want to make it clear that I do not wish for anyone to suffer unnecessarily.
Whilst I recognise that current options for those with terminal illnesses, such as palliative care, are inadequate, we owe it to patients and families to ensure that compassionate, comprehensive end-of-life care is available to all.
Assisted dying must not become the "easy" alternative to proper investment in palliative care.
While I fully acknowledge the immense suffering of those with terminal illnesses and respect their autonomy, I believe this Bill currently raises too many unanswered questions and risks.
Please be assured that over the course of its progression, I have consulted widely—speaking with medical professionals, legal experts, academics, religious leaders, and more than a thousand local people from Exmouth and Exeter East.
These conversations have been deeply moving and have shaped my thinking on this profoundly complex and sensitive issue.
At last Friday’s debate, it was agreed to continue considerations of this Bill at Report Stage, with discussions set to resume in the House on 13 June 2025.
Over the coming weeks, I will continue to engage with local people across Exmouth and Exeter East on this matter.
However, until the concerns I have outlined are adequately addressed—ensuring robust safeguards, improving palliative care, and allowing society to fully debate and understand the implications—I cannot support this Bill in good faith.
