This is not the first time I have written in these pages about the Assisted Dying Bill.

On December 5 last year, after the very first debate in Parliament, I wrote that I had listened very carefully to the arguments put forward by both sides.

I have continued to vote against this legislation since, including last Friday.

Reform MPs were given a free vote of conscience.

Whilst I fully understand the compassionate case for the right to die, my worry remains that the right to die, once it becomes law, can become the obligation to die.

If you look around Clacton and the constituency, you will see many elderly people in care homes.

The weekly cost of this is astronomical. Generations that come afterwards, in many cases, literally watch their inheritances disappear.

Whilst most people are decent human beings, I can foresee situations where many would begin to use this to pressure elderly parents or relatives who had received a bad diagnosis into saying, ‘Shouldn’t you take that option?’

The law can in no way prevent coercion, however heavy or gentle.

For those reasons, I voted against the legislation.

It is also worth mentioning the state of palliative care that is offered in our country.

I feel there should be much more of it. Take St Helena Hospice in Colchester.

Only 20 per cent of their funding comes from the Government. I would urge people, whenever you see a fundraising drive for them, to give generously – more on this in the next few weeks.

I know many of you reading this will think I’m wrong on the Assisted Dying Bill, but it is my job as your elected representative to use my judgment as best I can.