East Lancashire MPs split over assisted dying bill debate

Blackburn's Independent MP Adnan Hussain, Hyndburn's Sarah Smith and Ribble Valley's Maya Ellis, both Labour, will vote against the First Reading of Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

But Labour Burnley MP Oliver Ryan will vote for it, in what is a free vote meaning party whips will not tell their MPs which way to vote.

Other Labour men, Rossendale and Darwen MP Andy MacNae and Pendle and Clitheroe's Jonathan Hinder, have yet to make up their minds and will listen to the House of Commons debate before deciding how to vote.

The Private Members Bill would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their own life if they have the mental capacity to make the choice, have expressed a clear and informed wish free from coercion, and satisfied two independent doctors and a High Court judge that they are eligible to do so.

Adnan Hussain said to support the Bill would be betraying his religious beliefs Mr Hussain said: "On this matter, after careful consideration, I will vote with my conscience and moral leaning, against the bill.

"As someone deeply rooted in faith, I hold the principle of the sanctity of life very highly, with a conviction that every moment of life has inherent value.

"Assistance in ending any human life, therefore, contradicts my core values.

"If passed, the bill could create an environment whereby individuals, especially those who feel like a burden to their families or caregivers due to their vulnerability through illness, or the financial burden it produces, may feel a subtle or overt pressure to choose an assisted dying pathway.

"The bill could also pose ethical, and professional conflicts for healthcare workers.

"The safeguards against pressure and coercion, I believe, are flawed.

"As a nation which has its culture rooted in Christian values, which holds the sanctity of life as paramount, changes of this proposed nature have the potential to change aspects of our culture in the most profound, and irreversible of ways."

Oliver Ryan is the only East Lancashire MP who has said they will vote for assisted dying Mr Ryan said: "The sad reality is that more than 600 terminally ill people take their own lives in our country every year. These deaths are unmonitored, out of sight, and with no protections against abuse or coercion.

"Around 30 people travel to Switzerland and other countries to end their own lives, a choice available only to those with the funds to get there.

"The bill is focused entirely on choice, and the final choice and final act of ending their own life must be taken by the terminally ill person themselves.

"This bill includes strict protections and safeguards. The choice of assisted dying will be restricted to terminally ill people only.

"Far from creating risks, the bill will add protections where there currently are none.

"Weighing up all views, as well as my own experiences and my own faith, on balance I will vote for the bill."

Sarah Smith raised concerns over safeguards Mrs Smith said: "One of my concerns is that the process for developing this legislation is not sufficient for an issue of its magnitude.

"I am not convinced enough robust safeguards are in place to protect people from coercion – that is people being encouraged by family members or others to take the option of assisted dying rather than palliative care.

"Developing and investing in end-of-life care should take precedence over assisted dying.

"The risk of people feeling obligated to choose assisted dying, despite intentions of autonomous decision making, is too great for me to vote in favour of this bill."

Mrs Ellis said: "It is quite a thing to navigate such a huge moral question only four months into my term as an MP.

Maya Ellis said MPs feel unprepared for a vote of this magnitude "Overwhelmingly the sentiment that seems to be shared between my fellow MPs is how woefully unprepared we feel to make decisions so quickly on an issue that could fundamentally change how we view society, care, and the meaning of life in the UK.

"It is primarily for that reason that I will be voting against the Assisted Dying Bill.

Andy MacNae is yet to decide (Image: UK Parliament) "I can’t in good conscience vote for a bill where for every one person we make life better for, we risk making 10 people’s lives worse."

Andy MacNae said: "It is my view that any change in assisted dying laws must include strong and proper safeguards.

"People deserve dignity in dying, and each person nearing the end of their life should feel reassured and safe in the knowledge they will receive the very best care.

Jonathan Hinder said he will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision "It is vital, therefore, that we ensure assisted dying does not become an alternative to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.

"I'm going to listen to the debate and make up my mind once I have heard all sides."

Jonathan Hinder added: "I do not have a firm, fixed view on assisted dying and am currently considering the evidence and arguments put before me very carefully before I make my final decision."