Today, Parliament decided not to support a change that would have allowed terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option of a legally assisted death. I voted in favour of that change because I believe it should be a matter of personal choice at the end of life.

This has always been an issue on which sincere, thoughtful people hold deeply different views. Over recent months, many constituents have taken the time to share their experiences, concerns and hopes with me. I am grateful to everyone who wrote to me, regardless of the position they took.

For now, this decision closes the door on what could have been a new legal choice for people facing the end of their lives.

Democracy does not always deliver the outcome we personally wanted, but it does require us to respect the result and each other.

Whatever your perspective, I hope we can continue this conversation with compassion, understanding and respect.