How all Nottinghamshire MPs voted on assisted dying bill as majority back historic plans

The majority of Nottinghamshire's MPs have backed a bill which would allow terminally ill patients to end their life. The assisted dying bill had its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday (November 29), the first time it was debated by MPs, and the debate ended with MPs voting in favour of the bill progressing to the next stage.

Friday's vote, which saw 330 MPs voting yes and 275 MPs voting no, does not mean that the bill is anywhere near becoming law. A committee of MPs will now review the bill in more detail and it is not until the third reading stage when MPs get the final opportunity to approve or reject it becoming law. Friday's vote was a crucial point for the bill though as if MPs had voted against it, that would have been the end of the bill for this current parliament.

The bill would allow a terminally ill person expected to die within six months to request that their life be ended earlier. The person would have to be over 18, have the mental capacity to make the choice free from coercion or pressure and make two separate witnessed and signed declarations about their wish to die.

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Two independent doctors would have to be satisfied that the person is eligible, with at least seven days between each assessment. A High Court judge would then have to rule on the request, with a patient having to wait two weeks before acting.

Newark's Conservative MP Robert Jenrick was one of those who took part in Friday's debate, saying that the safeguards in the bill to protect against abuse were "grossly inadequate". Mr Jenrick said: "Bad law on trivial things is bad enough, but bad law on matters of life and death is unforgivable.

"This is not a transparent process and that leaves it woefully open to abuse. I am certain that, as night follows day, this law, if passed, will change not as a result of the individuals in this chamber, but as a result of judges.

"There will be different conversations around kitchen tables, there will be different conversations had by couples lying in bed at night, on quiet country walks where people talk about difficult things, and they won't be conversations that I think make our country a better place."

Gedling's Labour MP Michael Payne said ahead of Friday's vote that he would be backing the bill, saying in a written statement: "Having lost two family members to motor neurone disease, where there was no cure, where the pain and suffering was acute and where death was certain, I am persuaded by the argument that those diagnosed with a terminal illness, with fewer than six months to live, who have the agency to make that decision, should be able to request and be provided with assistance to make their own choice, subject to the safeguards and protections that this bill provides."

Sherwood Forest's Labour MP Michelle Welsh said she was "inclined" ahead of Friday's vote to back the bill, writing: "I am deeply concerned about both the existing health inequalities and the current strain on the NHS, which already affect access to high-quality end-of-life care. For many terminally ill patients, their experience of care depends on where they live, the resources available in their area, and the capacity of local healthcare services. These disparities must not be overlooked as we consider such a significant change to our laws."

Nottingham East's Labour MP Nadia Whittome voted for the bill, though says she reserves the right to vote against it when it next comes to Parliament if she is not satisfied with the safeguards in place. The MP wrote: "The current law is not working.

"It is cruel, lacks any safeguards for dying people, and the testimony I have heard has been truly harrowing. I believe in the right of the individual to choose, in the principles of autonomy and power in respect of your life, your body and your healthcare.

"The government must create the conditions in which the right for terminally ill people to die in dignity, is possible, while protecting everyone." Below are how all Nottinghamshire's 11 MPs voted on the bill:

For:

Lee Anderson (Reform UK) - Ashfield

Lilian Greenwood (Labour) - Nottingham South

Alex Norris (Labour and Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley

Michael Payne (Labour) - Gedling

Michelle Welsh (Labour) - Sherwood Forest

Jo White (Labour) - Bassetlaw

Nadia Whittome (Labour) - Nottingham East

Steve Yemm (Labour) - Mansfield

Against:

Juliet Campbell (Labour) - Broxtowe

Robert Jenrick (Conservative) - Newark

James Naish (Labour) - Rushcliffe