Dear Residents,

Today, MPs had the first opportunity to debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Commons.

I recognise that this is a complex and emotive issue, and I am grateful to the hundreds of Harrow residents who have written to me to outline their experiences and thoughts on this proposed change in the law.

It has also been valuable to spend time meeting and speaking with residents, local medical practitioners and religious leaders, for whom this Bill is an area they feel especially passionately about.

Although I have engaged in many important discussions and written correspondence about this Bill, I have been clear with Harrow residents that I would not be able to attend today’s debate due to a longstanding commitment as a Minister in the Department for Business and Trade.

Earlier today, I attended the 32nd Pontignano Conference in Rome, the flagship annual UK-Italy bilateral event, crucial to maintaining the UK’s strong diplomatic relations with Italy, something that is now more important than ever as we seek to reset relationships with the EU. Whilst this was a difficult decision, having committed to attending this event prior to the scheduling of this Bill, I felt it right to honour that commitment and attend the Conference to promote exports and investment between the UK and Italy – our 9th largest trading partner – and to help generate new export opportunities for UK businesses.

It is important to note that today’s debate in Parliament was only the first step in the legislative process. The Bill will be further scrutinised, with amendments considered, in the coming months both in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, before it could potentially become law. This process will enable more thorough detailed examination of this issue.

As many residents have noted, the Bill has only very recently been published and I think it is important that there is time for a full and detailed debate both within Parliament and in the country more widely.

I share the concerns of many about how vulnerable people, especially disabled people, would be protected from potential coercion. Having read the Bill in detail, I have found some reassurance in the safeguards contained within the Bill, for example the Bill introduces a new offence of coercion with a 14-year jail sentence. As a long-time advocate for disabled people, I want to ensure no one is pressured into choosing assisted dying and I will continue to watch this very closely as the Bill moves to the next step of the legislative process.

It is also very important to me that assisted dying should not become an alternative to high-quality palliative and end of life care. People deserve dignity in dying, and each person nearing the end of their life should feel reassured and safe in the knowledge they will receive the very best care.  I have been deeply moved and concerned by the stories many residents have shared with me about the end of life care experienced by their loved ones.

I know that there continue to be strongly held ethical and moral positions on both sides of this debate and I want to thank every one of the hundreds of people who have contacted me to share their views – Please do continue to send me your thoughts on this important debate by emailing: gareth.thomas.mp@parliament.uk

I can assure all residents that I will be carefully considering the points raised with me as I continue to think through this Bill as it is considered further in Parliament.

Yours sincerely,

Gareth Thomas MP