The Morecambe and Lancaster MPs have both backed a historic bill on assisted dying as it passed a vote in the House of Commons.
Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, and Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster & Wyre, spoke after Parliament voted through the bill by a margin of 23 on Friday.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which allows terminally ill adults in the right last six months of life to have medical help to die at a time and place of their choosing, will now pass to the House of Lords and is likely to become law.
After around three hours of emotional debate, MPs were allowed to vote in accordance with their personal beliefs, rather than along party lines.
Ms Collinge voted in favour, as the Bill went through by 314 votes to 291.
“I am very pleased that this Bill has passed," she said afterwards.
"It has strong safeguards that will both protect vulnerable people and allow people at the end of their life some control and relief from pain.
“Having seen firsthand the suffering some people go through at the end of their lives, having known a close family member starve themselves to death, I know that for a small amount of dying people this is necessary.
"Most people can have a good death with the appropriate palliative care, but unfortunately for some people palliative care doesn’t work.
“People can already die through withdrawal of treatment, with far fewer checks than this Bill provides. Currently hundreds of terminally ill people kill themselves every year, or go abroad to die, with no checks on whether it was a free and settled wish until after they are dead.
“I have campaigned for this change alongside terminally ill people who are very clear that they don’t want to die but they don’t have a choice in the matter. What they want is control over their end and the ability to go on their own terms, surrounded by their loved ones.
“Throughout the process, the Bill’s sponsor Kim Leadbeater has listened to all views and made changes to the Bill when presented with evidence that it is right to do so. I think her determination, kindness and empathy will be remembered by all, whichever way they voted.”
Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Wyre, also voted in favour.
“After hearing very many compelling arguments on both sides of the debate on assisted dying, I supported what I believe to be a modest and sensible proposal for assistance to be able to be given to people with terminal illnesses to end their lives with strong safeguards," said Ms Smith afterwards.
"I appreciate it will not be a choice some people would want to make, and I respect that, but for others this will be some control they can make at the end of their lives to afford dignity in dying."
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, voted against.
Mr Farron had previously said: "My opposition to the Bill is grounded in compassion.
"To legalise assisted dying would be to create the space for coercion that would undoubtedly see people die who would not otherwise have chosen to do so.
"There are no safeguards in the bill that would prevent that."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch voting against.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill lets terminally ill adults end their life if they are over 18, live in England or Wales, and have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months; have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure; are expected to die within six months; make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die; and satisfy two independent doctors that they are eligible - with at least seven days between each assessment.
Opponents of the Bill have voiced concerns over safeguards, the potential for private companies to profit from assisted dying services, and the risk to vulnerable individuals.
The bill passed its previous reading in the Commons in December, by 330 votes to 275.
Read more: Morecambe MP explains why she voted for assisted dying bill - Beyond Radio
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