SOUTH COTSWOLDS MP Roz Savage has explained why she voted in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill on Friday.  

Plans that could legalise assisted dying cleared their first hurdle in Parliament last week. 

A majority of MPs – including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former PM Rishi Sunak – backed the proposals which would allow terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of less than six months to end their lives

Members of parliament voted in favour of MP Kim Leadbeater's proposals by a margin of 330 to 275 after they had their first opportunity to debate the legislation.

But several stages remain before the Bill becomes law, and a number of MPs indicated they could still vote against it if safeguards in the legislation were not strengthened.

Ms Savage said: "The atmosphere in the House of Commons last Friday was very intense.

"It was moving to feel the mood of real compassion in the chamber, and to see MPs reaching out to comfort colleagues who were crying after sharing poignant personal stories.

"As a free vote, for each MP to decide according to their conscience, it was a very personal debate.

"I received a huge amount of correspondence about the Bill, with passionate and often moving arguments on both sides. My decision involved a lot of soul-searching, and eventually I voted in support of the Bill.

"At its heart, this bill is about compassion and dignity. It's about recognising the profound suffering some individuals endure and offering them a choice to die on their own terms.

"Concerns remain over safeguards, and these will be addressed at the committee stage.

"We also need to make sure that improving palliative and end-of-life care remains a government priority.

"Our commitment to compassion must extend to all forms of end-of-life care.

"This vote marks the beginning of a long process of debate and refinement.

"We must continue to listen to medical professionals, ethicists, religious leaders, and those directly affected by terminal illness.

"As we move forward, I trust Parliament will continue to respect the sanctity of human life in all its stages, and carry forward the spirit of compassion that filled the chamber last Friday."