Southampton MPs vote against assisted dying bill in parliament

MPs voted for the Terminally Ill Adults Bill by 314 votes to 291, with the House of Lords likely to approve the bill later this year.

Both of Southampton’s Labour MPs, Satvir Kaur (Southampton Test) and Darren Paffey (Southampton Itchen) voted against the bill.

Conservative MP Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) does not vote in the Chamber as she is politically impartial due to her role as Madam Deputy Speaker.

Conservative Paul Holmes (Hamble Valley) also voted against the bill.

He was joined by New Forest East Conservative MP, Julian Lewis, while Eastleigh’s Liberal Democrat member of parliament, Liz Jarvis, voted in favour of the bill.

Taking to social media after the vote, Southampton Itchen MP, Darren Paffey, said he was “disappointed by the outcome,” but that MPs on both sides of the debate will have “wrestled with their decision.”

READ MORE: MP calls for school water safety lessons

Southampton Itchen MP, Darren Paffey (Image: Newsquest) He said: “As many of you will already have seen, the assisted dying bill was today passed after a majority of MPs voted in its favour.

“I did not support this bill for reasons which I’ve set out before and am disappointed at this outcome. All the more so as it was so close, with several colleagues who previously supported the bill deciding that they were unable to do so this time.

“Nevertheless, I recognise that all MPs on both sides of the debate will have wrestled with their decision and respect that many will have come to a different conclusion for carefully considered reasons.

“As legislators, we expect to make incredibly difficult decisions – but it is difficult to imagine a more difficult and sensitive matter being put before MPs in the first year of a new parliament. Everyone who has engaged constructively and in good faith with these difficult issues should have our respect, even where we might profoundly disagree.

“Today’s vote must not be the last word on the issues that have been raised in debates. In particular, I hope it will lead to a greater focus on properly funding palliative care and further conversations about how we can support people towards the end of their lives.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has written or spoken to me about this issue, in particular those of you, on both sides of the debate, who have shared very personal and moving stories with me.”