How Hull and East Yorkshire MPs voted on the assisted dying bill

Assisted dying bill has moved a step closer to being legalised in England and Wales after passing a historic vote in Parliament.

Following hours of debate, MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by 330 to 275 - a majority of 55. This means the bill will proceed to the next stage of scrutiny before being voted on again. If it eventually becomes law, terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of less than six months will be able to choose to end their lives.

Encouraging or assisting suicide is currently against the law in England and Wales, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

MPs were given a free vote on the bill, allowing them to make their own decision rather than following party political lines. Despite this, the leaders of the two largest parties were at odds in how they casted their votes. Prime Minister, and leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch voted against it.

In Hull and East Yorkshire, MPs were largely in favour of the bill, voting three to one in favour, with two further MPs not voting either way. Two of the three Hull MPs, Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) and Dame Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham), voted in favour of the bill. Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy voted both 'yes' and 'no' to record an 'active abstention'.

Ahead of the vote, Mr Turner took to social media platform X to announce his intention to vote for the bill. He said: "I will be voting for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

"I appreciate the diverse views on the sensitive issue of assisted dying. My decision to support a change in the law was made with careful consideration, balancing choice with safeguarding.

"I believe in respecting individual autonomy, especially for those facing terminal illness. The proposed Bill includes robust safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals while allowing choice for those in extreme suffering.

"I will continue to engage with all stakeholders and monitor developments closely, ensuring that the views of my constituents are considered throughout the parliamentary process."

Sir David Davis, MP for Goole and Pocklington, also voted in favour of the bill. Ahead of the vote, Sir David stressed the importance of the topic in question. He said: "More people care about this than they care about most other things we are doing."

MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart was the only local MP to vote against the bill. Mr Stuart spoke in the parliamentary debate prior to the vote, saying: "We should reject it today, but we should as a House commit to not going another ten years of ignoring this topic, but to come forward in a considered way and ensure it's looked at properly and we do everything possible to have a system that is more robust, more caring, and ensures a good outcome for people."

Charlie Dewhirst, MP for Bridlington and The Wolds, did not record a vote. Prior to the vote, Mr Dewhirst announced he could not attend the vote and that he remained "torn on the issue".

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