15-05-2025
Reform UK's newest MP says she will back the assisted dying bill
The new MP for Runcorn and Helsby has confirmed she will vote in favor of assisted dying when the bill returns to parliament for its third reading.
Sarah Pochin was only elected on the 2nd of May, so did not get the chance to vote the last time MPs had their say on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
If passed, it would give people diagnosed with a terminal illness and less than six months to live the right to medical assistance to end their life, provided they meet certain criteria.
Speaking on ITV's Granada Debate, Sarah said "It is a very emotive subject, and I know that not everyone in my constituency is going to we were elected to give our opinions, I've considered all the facts".
The MP, who is a former magistrate, says that she's confident "there are enough checks and balances in place within the legislation" - with a panel of experts assessing each application to have an assisted death, made up of a senior lawyer, psychiatrist, and social worker.
Sarah Pochin was elected in a by-election after the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury.
Mr Amesbury had voted against the bill.
With a majority of 55 at first reading, campaigners on both sides will be watching parliament closely to see whether recent amendments to the bill during committee stage will be great enough to sway MPs either way.
One MP who is considering changing their vote is the Conservative member for Fylde Andrew Snowden, who is concerned about the parliamentary process of using a Private Member's Bill to pass such a transformative piece of legislation.
Mr Snowden says concerns raised by medical professionals recently have also given him pause for thought:
Also speaking on the Granada Debate, the Labour MP for High Peak Jon Pearce believes there is still a number of MPs who are undecided on the bill.
"I voted in principle in favour of the bill, but i'm one of a small group of MPs who voted in favour but are going to look at the final version - it's a huge job"
