Ahead of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill return to the House of Commons for its Report Stage and Third Reading, I am writing to explain my position.

At Second Reading, I voted against the Bill. I did so in accordance with my own conscience; I could not support a change in the law that I believe would put vulnerable people in harm’s way.

The Bill has been amended several times during its committee stage. Far from strengthening safeguards, it is now even less safe for vulnerable people than it was at Second Reading. Therefore, I intend to vote against the Bill when it returns to the House of Commons for Third Reading. I will, of course, consider each amendment carefully during the Bill’s Report Stage.

I appreciate that there are strongly held beliefs on both sides of this debate, and that some will disagree with my decision — that is their right — but I do hope you will respect the fact that I must vote with my own conscience.