
MPs have agreed to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.
Following months of debate, the free vote in the House of Commons on Friday saw the bill pass by 314 votes to 291.
It was the third reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
The bill does not automatically become law as it will now go to the House of Lords for more scrutiny.
The House of Lords can make amendments to the bill and pass it back to MPs.
How did my MP vote?
Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness
Michelle Scrogham, Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, voted against.
On social media, she said: “I took this difficult decision because, although I am in favour of reform in principle, I had multiple concerns about the framework put forward in the bill.
“Since the Second Reading I have spent time reviewing in detail the amendments made in committee stage, analysing the impact assessment, and listening to the views of constituents.
“I carefully considered the wording of the bill and feel it does not put in place adequate safeguards to protect people against coercion.
“This is not the gold-standard in safety that people in this country deserve and I believe that the lack of the ultimate protection from a High Court judge significantly weakens what is on offer.
“In addition, this bill still only looks at one choice for end of life provision, and I believe we need to improve all choices, including ensuring that palliative care services are improved. This bill does not provide that.
“Although I voted against the bill, enough of my colleagues took the opposite view and it was passed. I respect the decision of the House and the bill will now go to the House of Lords.
“My belief is that it still needs to be significantly improved to protect vulnerable people and I will continue to engage with colleagues in the hope that those improvements can be made.”
Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle
Julie Minns, Labour MP for Carlisle, did not vote.
She had to take immediate compassionate leave from June 17 due to a serious family situation, she said. Parliamentary rules do not allow proxy votes in these circumstances.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, voted against.
Mr Farron said: “I am extremely saddened by the third reading vote in favour of the Assisted Dying bill.
“I do respect that the motives of those in favour of the bill include compassion towards people who are suffering.
“This doesn’t change my view that this proposed legislation puts vulnerable people at extreme risk.
“I am surprised that MPs ignored expert opinion of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Palliative Medicine, and the Government’s own chief suicide prevention advisor.
“But I confess to being staggered that they ignored the pleas of disability groups, of minority ethnic communities and others who typically have less agency in our society.
“The House of Lords now has the job of scrutinising the bill and, given how narrow the vote was, may well decide to make significant changes to it or even reject it. In which case the issue would have to return to the House of Commons.
“I will endeavour to work with others to continue to protect the most vulnerable, while respecting the views of those who take a different view.”
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington
Josh MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven & Workington, voted in favour of the bill.
He said: “I’ve supported the principle of choice at the end of life from the beginning.
“I listened carefully to the arguments on both sides, followed the bill’s progress closely as it was debated and scrutinised and amended and debated again.
“I was satisfied today that we have arrived at a bill which has appropriate safeguards but ensures those with a terminal diagnosis facing only months to live, potentially in significant pain, have the choice to end their lives on their own terms. And so I voted in favour of the bill.
“I know not everyone will agree with me, such is the nature of making decisions in politics, but I hope constituents will be assured that I reached my decision in a thoughtful and considered way.”
Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith & Solway
Markus Campbell-Savours, Labour MP for Penrith & Solway, voted against.
Cumbria Crack has contacted Mr Campbell-Savours’ office for comment.
Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale
Lizzi Collinge, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, voted in favour of the bill
She said: “Parliament made history and decided to allow terminally ill adults in the last six months of life to choose, under strict conditions, to choose an assisted death. I have followed amendments closely and am convinced this is a safe bill.”