ASSISTED dying is one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged debates of this generation.

It is an issue which goes to the core not only of religion, but of our most basic human nature.

It is also an issue on which I am required to vote in September once the Parliament resumes after summer recess.

The Assisted Dying Bill has been brought back to the House of Commons as a Private Member’s Bill.

As it is an issue of conscience, the government takes no position on the legislation and as such, MPs are allowed to vote according to their conscience and the strength of feeling within the constituency.

The Bill would create a legal pathway for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to receive assistance to end their own lives.

The patient would have to be mentally competent and be over 18 years old.

Those with mental illnesses or non-terminal illnesses would be excluded. No medical professional would be required to assist if they objected on moral grounds and the patient would have to administer the life-ending drugs themselves.

Instinctively I have great sympathy for terminally ill patients and, and I can honestly say I do not know how I would feel in their situation.

Of the small few terminal patients I have met, I have been both shocked and heartened by their emotional strength, and their determination to enjoy life.

I am publishing a briefing note on my website which contains the basic arguments for and against the bill. There are valid arguments on both sides, and I am keen to hear local opinions and from people who are terminally ill or those who care for them.

I am undecided on this matter, and I would greatly appreciate constituents getting in touch to share their views.

Many people have already written to me outlining their views for and against and the same arguments seem to keep coming up on both sides; the fear that the bill would lead to people feeling they have ‘duty to die’ to relieve family and friends of the care burden or that the quality of palliative care would fall.

Opposing arguments ask who are we to prevent someone from ending the unimaginable pain and suffering, both physically and mentally, they may be facing due to a terminal or degenerative illness?

If you do have strong feelings on this matter, I would be very grateful for your input.

Please do visit www.lukehall.org.uk for more information and to have your say.