Fall of the Assisted Dying Bill
Last Friday, MPs returned to the House of Commons to debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
I supported the Bill throughout its course in Parliament, so I was disappointed to see the Bill fail narrowly by 16 votes. I believe that those with terminal illnesses deserve choice and dignity at the end of their lives, and that the Bill addressed concerns with safeguards included within it. This measure has overwhelming public support and I do believe that it will eventually become law. Whatever your stance on this issue, thank you to everyone who has contacted me about it.
I was glad to see the Labour Government announce that it is taking action alongside allies, including France and Canada, to defend the viability of a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. This will include a ban on goods from illegal settlements, as well as a ban on advertising of land and property in those settlements.
In other international developments, I asked the Defence Secretary in Parliament how we can best support Ukraine by mobilising allies and providing additional assistance through the coming winter.
I also asked the Local Government Secretary about the decision to pause and review the plans for local government reorganisation in Sussex, seeking assurances that this will not impact efforts to devolve power closer to residents in Adur and Worthing. I was pleased to be assured that the Prime Minister is committed to devolving power and getting this reorganisation right.
After the recent tragic incident in Shoreham which resulted in the deaths of four members of the same family, as well as other drownings on our country’s coastline, I attended a meeting for the APPG for Water Safety Education to discuss drowning prevention.