Member

This is the first time I have spoken on the Bill, because I took the view at the very beginning that, as I am not a clinician, theologian or ethicist, I was not going to do a particularly good job of improving it. I was concerned that people would try to talk it out, and I did not want to be part of that. That is why; it is not that I have not followed it. I have sat here on the occasional Friday, I have read and I have listened, but I felt from the very beginning that there are Members of your Lordships’ House who care deeply about the subject, believe completely in their view and who are going to use process to kill the Bill. I am sad to say that that is exactly where we are. I feel sad that I have failed the people who contacted me and asked me to help them, because I have remained silent throughout the process, which is why I am speaking today, although I fear I am now repeating what others have said.