Political and religious leaders in Berkshire are divided on whether assisted dying should be made legal in the UK.
While some argue it gives terminally ill people the opportunity to end their suffering, opponents say a proposed law could be manipulated to coerce people into an early death.
The prospect of assisted dying becoming law has been brought about after Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Spen Valley introduced a Private Members Bill to make it legal for medics to assist patients to die.
MPs are set to vote on whether to move the bill to the next stage on Friday, November 29.
Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central said: "Assisted dying is a very important and very difficult and sensitive issue, I am considering how to vote on this issue and I am weighing up the evidence.
"I would like to thank Kim Leadbeater for her work on this issue and I want to thank other MPs for the sensitive way they have conducted the debate. I would like to also thank constituents who have contacted me about assisting dying and for sharing their views."
READ MORE: Kim Leadbeater defends assisted dying Bill in face of efforts to stop it
Olivia Bailey, the Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, said: "Recently I held a listening event for constituents in advance of the debate on assisted dying that is taking place.
"This is a hugely complex and emotive topic and, in addition to that discussion, I have received many representations by email, by post, and at surgeries.
"I am extremely grateful for the thoughtful and respectful way the discussion was conducted and for the stories and experiences that residents have shared, and I am considering them all as I decide on my vote."
Yuan Yang, the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley has been speaking with medical professionals and religious leaders ahead of the vote.
Peter Swallow, the Labour MP for Bracknell held a discussion and ultimately concluded that he would support the bill after a meeting on Friday, November 22.
READ MORE: Bracknell's MP says he will support Assisted Dying Bill
In an open letter, supporting the bill, Lee Dillon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury wrote: “My decision has not been made lightly.
“While I know some will disagree, my hope is that this debate not only provides individuals with the freedom to make their own decisions but also puts a spotlight on the need for continued investment in palliative care and hospice funding.”
Dr Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, the Church of England diocese that covers Berkshire, has opposed the bill, stressing the importance of prioritising enhanced palliative care and hospice support to ensure those at the end of their lives receive the dignity and comfort they deserve.
Bishop Philip Egan, head of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth that covers Berkshire made similar arguments, saying it will put 'intolerable pressure on the most vulnerable' to end their lives.
The Reading branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has encouraged its members to write to their MPs urging them to oppose the bill.
READ MORE: The Assisted Dying Bill explained
An Islamic perspective on assisted dying has been published on the Journal of the British Islamic Medical Association's website.
The authors concluded assisted dying or euthanasia is not permitted for Muslims even if the patient insistently requests it and their family agrees to it.
Dr Jonathan Romain, the former Rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue, is a vocal campaigner for assisted dying, and often posts about the issue on X/Twitter.
Meanwhile, Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of the UK, has written to MPs arguing the bill will put pressure on the vulnerable to end their lives.
If MPs vote in support of the bill, it will move to a committee stage, a report to Parliament and final votes in the House of Commons and House of Lords, before officially being signed into law by King Charles III.
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