Assisted Dying

Dear Constituent,

Thank you for your email.

Coping with terminal illness is distressing and difficult both for the patient and their families. These cases are truly moving and evoke the highest degree of compassion and emotion.

I fully accept that assisted dying is a subject on which it is entirely possible for people to hold widely different but defensible opinions.

After careful consideration, I voted for the Assisted Dying Bill at Second Reading as I believe that competent adults who are terminally ill should be provided at their request with specified assistance to end their own life, subject to appropriate safeguards.

There will be further stages to this Bill progressing through both Houses and I will remain closely engaged in its progress and the debate around it.

Thank you again.

Yours sincerely,

Mel Stride MP

MP for Central Devon