Cherishing Life This Christmas
"I celebrate the magnificent community spirt that exists throughout Romford, with churches, schools, voluntary groups and charities opening their doors to local people for Christmas festivities. As a young lad, growing up in Romford, I always loved visiting the wonderful local Christmas Fairs and Carol Services at this magical time of year, and I still do. I have greatly enjoyed visiting Christmas Fairs at Rise Park Methodist Church, St. Edward’s R.C. Church, St. Alban’s Church, The Sun Pub in London Road and most especially, the Romford United Reformed Church “Christmas Tree Festival”. I even entered my very own tree! A spectacular blue tinsel tree, with Union Jack baubles and a House of Commons portcullis star on top! The St. Francis Hospice Christmas Market, at Havering-atte-Bower, marked the fortieth anniversary of the founding of our local hospice, that has loved and cared for thousands of local people, cherishing every life until the very end. How fortunate we are in Romford to be served by such a caring, organisation like St. Francis, rooted in Christian foundations, but providing support to people of all faiths across Havering, Essex and the east of London. I have an unwavering belief in the sanctity of life and St. Francis Hospice embodies that. Life is something that must be cherished. That is why I could not vote for state sanctioned suicide in the recent Second Reading of the Assisted Dying Bill. I fear this will be a devasting slippery slope, where dying prematurely becomes the norm, as some feel the need to stop being a burden on their family. I do not want to live in a country which encourages vulnerable people to end their lives before their time. We only need to look at Canada to see the dark consequences of legalising the right to volunteer to end your own life . Of course, I understand the desperate need to alleviate the suffering of those who are in unbearable pain with a terminal physical illness. It was a very hard decision for every M.P., but for me, having long been inspired by St. Francis Hospice, promoting enhanced palliative care, better mental health provision and greater support for carers was the better pathway to enable the best quality of life, to which all people have a right. A very Happy Christmas to one and a peaceful 2025!"
