How Sheffield MPs voted on 'Assisted Dying Bill'

A local MP has backed a bill to provide assisted dying to those suffering from terminal illness - but claims that a timetabling issue led to him missing the vote.

MPs from across the country gathered in the House of Commons on Friday (September 11) to resume debates into the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill after Parliament went into recess over the summer.

The decision was delayed by the House of Lords, forcing another vote in the Commons despite previous support.

However, this time, the bill failed to pass, with 286 voting against it while only 268 showed their support.

In Sheffield, only three MPs voted in the debate.

Sheffield Central MP Abtisam Mohammed opposed the bill, while Sheffield Hallam’s Olivia Blake voted in support.

Penistone and Stocksbridge’s Marie Tidball also voted in favour.

Meanwhile, Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has voiced his support for the bill, but said he was unable to attend the vote due to “conflicting Parliamentary business.”

“If I were present at the debate, I want to be clear I would have voted for the bill,” he added.

“My position on this has not changed and I fundamentally believe we need to give those individuals caught in the most tragic of circumstances with terminal illness the opportunity to die in dignity and time of their choosing. They should not be made to suffer for months on end against their wishes.

“The legislation for this is comprehensive enough with appropriate medical and legal safeguards that I am satisfied it meets the standards we should expect to ensure it can operate within the British legal system.”

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