THE Coronation Street actress whose cancer-suffering character died this week has said that assisted suicide should be legalised.

Opinion polls confirm that Julie Hesmondhalgh’s views are shared by the vast majority of people in this country.

Medically assisted suicide is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

The safeguards in their laws have ensured that there is no ‘slippery slope’ or encouragement for elderly people to die.

Opponents of right-to-die legislation say that palliative care must be the only option available to sufferers close to the end of their lives.

Pain relief will be sufficient for the majority, but some individuals will want to say farewell and die peacefully at a time of their choosing and while they are still competent.

Their wishes should be respected.

An actress and a soap opera have highlighted this issue once again and Parliament should take it up.

Our MPs should look to the example of our European neighbours and support a change in law.

Chris Davies, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West.