Ellee Seymour

I always think I will never want to carry on living if either of my two sons died. I was so deeply saddened to learn of the death of Joanne Coombs, who was only 40.

She was reportedly found dead at Manningtree, Essex, last night.

Her beautiful 17-year-old daughter Natasha was found dead near the same spot on 10 August after being hit by a train on her way home from a night out with friends.

Natasha was a beloved only child, and her parents described their pain and anguish during the search for her body.

"It is so, so hard being without our Natasha. She is our only child. She is our family. She is our life. She is everything."

Those were the words of the bereaved father who has now lost his wife too.

Why is the world such a cruel place?

Update 20 September: A moving poem written by Joanne Coombs for Natasha following her daughter’s death, and husband Gary’s heartbroken tribute to his wife.

I don’t understand why the EU feels it is necessary to hold an anti-death penalty day, earmarked for 10 October. The fact that the death penalty doesn’t exist in Europe means it is pretty pointless. And which other country which imposes it is going to take notice of protests we make about it? They surely know our views already.

Poland is the only one of 27 member states digging in its heels and refusing to join in on the grounds that the EU “should approach the subject in a broader way and debate the protection of life”. They believe that the debate should include abortion and euthanasia.

These are the crucial issues the EU is brushing under the carpet, these are the issues more likely to affect people’s daily lives rather than the death penalty. Poland, along with Ireland and Malta, are the only members where abortion is illegal. People there surely want to talk about it.

And Poland’s Roman Catholic clergy and politicians have described the practice of euthanasia in countries such as the Netherlands as a “culture of death”.

In fact, the ultra-conservative League of Polish Families, wants to bring back the death penalty for paedophiles. It is easy to understand the broader implications this debate holds for Poland.

There are plans for a big conference in Lisbon about the death penalty and no doubt our British Justice Minister Jack Straw will be there. He was adamant that to hold a day against the death penalty was right and praised the Portuguese, who hold the presidency, for forcing the issue. Talk about sucking up.

This quote by Straw, and highlighted by the BBC’s Mark Mardell, shows clearly why Straw is clueless:

“I think the death penalty is something people have intense debates about, but abortion and euthanasia are seen as a private matter. I will make this comment about United States politics: I do not wish the United Kingdom to end up in a position where issues of conscience become a big party and partisan issue.”

I read a book recently on why women voted the way they did during the last American presidential election - and abortion was at the top of the list. Women want to talk about it.

Do you think Poland is right?

And I am against the death penalty, btw, I don’t think any civilised society can implement it, it is too inhumane.