Return of the Tory Network

Welcome back friends to the Tory Network.

It's been 8 months since we went dark and in that time we've had a very eventful political year.

We lost in London but won in Scotland.

We had the EU referendum, the single most important vote many people in this nation will ever have taken part in.

We said goodbye to the man who brought us back to power and hello to the UK's second female Prime Minister.

We saw the rise and fall and now rise again of Boris Johnson

And finally we are standing witness to the largest act of self immolation that any political party has ever undergone in the form of this year Labour Leadership elections.

Amidst this backdrop of politicking and intrigue I thought I would start the renewed Tory Network off with a very brief discussion on an easy topic, nothing morally ambiguous or contentious, so after some deliberation and thought I decided to tackle the most innocent issue of...

Assisted Suicide.

 Some of us may have seen that Lord Rix, a noted charity campaigner and activist, passed away recently. In his life Lord Rix had actually campaigned AGAINST assisted suicide but as his body failed him and the years took an ever heavier toll his opinion shifted to the point that in the House of Lord's he proclaimed:

"Only with a legal euthanasia Bill on the statute books will the many people who find themselves in the same situation as me be able to slip away peacefully in their sleep instead of dreading the night."

Now as many people will be aware I studied Law at University. This gives me a very predefined path when it comes to analysing an issue. In effect I start by looking for precedent but the simple truth is that in this particular case I don't feel looking for precedent is appropriate. Assisted suicide is what I believe is a single morality issue. An issue where the desires of the many should not in any way impact the law. That is to say it should entirely be an individuals decision as to when they die and it really shouldn't matter what other people have to say on the issue.

My thoughts here are not supported by law. Assisted suicide is a crime and the European Court of Human Rights has found that whilst we definitely have a right to life we have no corresponding right to die.

But we should and I believe Tories should support it.

As Tories our inclination should always be towards a state which does not limit the rights of the individual. We have a long and proud history of protecting the public and defending liberty, so I firmly believe that we should deliver a fair framework which achieves both aims.

After all, I don't think we should have Futurama style suicide booths, it should be a difficult decision to make if you choose to die. Supported by medical evidence and thoroughly check to ensure it your decision alone.

But it should be a decision available to us.