It was a difficult choice: should I talk about ‘AI’ or ‘AD’? Artificial Intelligence or Assisted Dying? Both issues have dominated the news agenda since a top safety researcher issued his warning that there is a greater than 10% chance that it could kill US all within the next ten years meanwhile the Assisted Suicide Bill was defeated in the House of Commons.

Given the fact that we appear to have at least ten years to reflect on the AI challenge I came to the conclusion that I should concentrate on that extraordinary vote in the House of Commons. I say ‘extraordinary’ because the last time MPs voted (in June) there were 315 in favour and 291 against whereas in the latest vote only just 270 supported it with 286 rejecting it. Support for the Bill has clearly ebbed away.

So how do we explain this remarkable volte face? We can discount normal party loyalties of course, this was an issue of personal conscience. Having said that the Prime Minister’s influence seems to play an Important - if subtle - role. Keir Starmer was in No 10 when MPs last voted, and I understand he was a supporter of the Bill whereas Andy Burnham chose not to vote saying he did not want to unduly influence the debate. He has also stated that it would be challenging to implement the Bill before improving the provision of social and palliative care.

It may well have been then, that given Downing Street’s priorities, abstaining or ‘being absent’ became attractive options. In fact, one national newspaper singled this out as a key factor suggesting that the Bill failed because key allies of the Prime Minister did not vote.

Some MPs it would seem were at a wedding and others were on a trip to Ukraine but whatever the reason the BBC reported that 87 of our representatives chose not to vote. I have to say I find it hugely disappointing to learn that such a large number decided to take this course of action given the importance of the subject being addressed.

I was delighted with the result of course and like many others I believe the Bill ultimately failed because God answered prayer.

The CEO of one respected Christian charity summed it up well: ‘today is a day to give thanks that England and Wales have been spared, for now, the horror of assisted suicide being legalised. We give God all the glory!”

But the task is not finished. I agree with the two Labour MPs who were reported to have said that we need to understand the deep concerns of those who desperately want a change in the law but we must recognise that we really need to sort out the social and palliative care provision we offer in the UK.

I hope we will do all we can to ensure that this happens and would suggest that we begin by turning to the God who intervenes when we ask for His help.