Great Yarmouth MP Lowe to vote for assisted dying bill

Reform MP Rupert Lowe had promised to vote according to the majority wishes of people in his constituency.

More than a thousand people responded to his online poll and just over 75pc said they wanted him to vote for Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's bill.

Kim Leadbeater (Image: Press Association)Mr Lowe said: "I have my own views, of course, but on such an emotive issue I thought it was right to consult my constituents.

"The poll closed last night, and the results are as follows - 1,181 constituents participated, their eligibility to vote as a Great Yarmouth resident was verified.

"892 voted in favour of assisted dying, 289 voted against assisted dying. My constituents have spoken, and that is how I will vote."

Great Yarmouth (Image: Mike Page)

Labour backbencher Ms Leadbeater’s legislation will come before the Commons on Friday (November 29) with the first debate and vote of its kind in the House since 2015.

Members will be given a free vote, allowing them to make a decision according to their own conscience, rather than in line with party policy.

READ MORE: How Norfolk and Waveney MPs stand on assisted dying bill

Jess Asato (Image: Mick Howes)

HOW THE VOTING LOOKS

Lowestoft Labour MP Jess Asato announced this week that she would vote against the bill, citing concerns people could be coerced or choose to end their life because they perceive themselves as burdens.

South West Norfolk Labour MP Terry Jermy, North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Steffan Aquarone and Waveney Valley Green MP Adrian Ramsay previously signalled they were minded to vote for the bill.

And Norwich North Labour MP Alice Macdonald confirmed on Thursday that she will vote for it.

She said: "I appreciate that some constituents will disagree with my decision, but I believe that reform of the existing law is long overdue and that we need to act to ensure nobody dying from a terminal illness is forced to suffer against their wishes."

Norwich South Labour MP Clive Lewis said he was undecided, while Ben Goldsborough - his Labour colleague in South Norfolk - said he was against the bill.

Conservatives George Freeman (Mid Norfolk), Jerome Mayhew (Broadland and Fakenham) and James Wild (North West Norfolk) all said they had concerns, but had yet to make up their minds.

THE PROCESS

Only terminally adults expected to die within six months, who have been resident in England and Wales and registered with a GP for at least 12 months would be able to choose to end their lives.

They must have the mental capacity to make a choice about the end of their life and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish – free from coercion or pressure.

They must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die.

The process must involve two independent doctors being satisfied the person is eligible and the medics can consult other specialists and experts.

A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors and can question the dying person, as well as anyone else they consider appropriate.