Assisted Suicide
Basingstoke residents have recently written to me on the subject of assisted suicide.
I completely understand what an incredibly emotive issue this is, and I appreciate the strength of feelings on both sides. It is for this reason that, as with other matters of conscience, any change in the law must be for MPs to consider as a matter of individual conscience, rather than a decision for Government. This is a convention which I support wholeheartedly.
Parliament has debated this issue on several occasions and the most recent debate on specific legislative proposals was in the House of Commons on 11 September 2015, when the Assisted Dying (No.2) Bill had its Second Reading. The Bill was rejected by 330 votes to 118.
I appreciate how strongly constituents feel about this subject and I would like to thank all who have for taken the time to write to me with their views.
I will continue to follow developments carefully, and I know that the Ministers responsible for this policy area will do likewise.