How all Lancashire MPs voted in the assisted dying bill

Susan Newton & Bill Jacobs
·2-min read
Screen grab of MPs gathered to hear the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, in the chamber of the House of Commons in Westminster, London
-Credit: (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)


MPs have voted in favour of the first step in the assisted dying bill in a historic vote in Parliament.

Today (Friday, November 29), MPs voted whether or not to support a bill to allow terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of less than six months to end their lives. Before the vote, an emotional debate took place in the Commons as politicians on both sides of the debate made impassioned arguments for and against what has been described as a “major social reform”.

MPs voted 330 to 275, majority 55, to approve Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at second reading, the PA News Agency reports. Many arguments were heard on both sides of opinion, with some against the Bill protesting outside Parliament with placards reading: "Assisted suicide is not the solution."

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In Lancashire, undecided MPs finally made their decisions before the bill went to vote today. East Lancashire MPs Jonathan Hinder and Andy MacNae joined their Burnley Labour colleague Oliver Ryan in voting to support the assisted dying bill at Westminster earlier.

However, Blackburn Independent Adnan Hussain, Hyndburn’s Sarah Smith and her Labour colleague Maya Ellis all voted against. Mr Hinder said: “I have agonised over this decision.

Supporters of the "Not Dead Yet" campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, protest outside the Houses of Parliament
Supporters of the "Not Dead Yet" campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, protest outside the Houses of Parliament -Credit:Getty Images

“However, I came into politics because I want to reduce human suffering – to see people live happier, more fulfilled lives. It is heart-breaking that so many people’s final months are consumed by pain and suffering, along with the associated impact this has on their family.

“While I have doubts and concerns, on balance I currently believe that this bill is sufficiently limited in scope to reduce unnecessary suffering for those who wish to shorten a painful death, without causing undue suffering to others.”

Mr Hussain: “I believe wholeheartedly that I have made the right decision in voting against the bill. I am deeply disappointed that a decision of this nature is being rushed through Parliament at this speed.

“Morally I am completely opposed to it, and I also believe it falls way short of having all the necessary safeguards in place.I will continue to vote against in all future readings.”

Full list of Lancashire MPs and how they voted in the assisted dying bill

For

  • Lorraine Beavers - Blackpool North and Fleetwood – Labour

  • Oliver Ryan - Burnley - Labour

  • Andrew Snowden - Fylde - Conservative

  • Lizzi Collinge - Morecambe and Lunesdale - Labour

  • Jonathan Hinder - Pendle and Clitheroe - Labour

  • Paul Foster - South Ribble - Labour

  • Chris Webb - Blackpool South - Labour

  • Sir Andy MacNae - Rossendale and Darwen - Labour

Against

  • Ashley Dalton - West Lancashire - Labour

  • Sarah Smith - Hyndburn - Labour

  • Maya Ellis - Ribble Valley - Labour

  • Patrick Hurley - Southport - Labour

  • Adnan Hussain - Blackburn - Independent

  • Sir Mark Hendrick - Preston - Labour

No vote recorded

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