How will Norfolk's MPs vote on assisted dying?
MPs in Norfolk are split on whether to change the law on assisted dying, with two reversing their previous positions.Today a bill on the proposed change will receive what is known as its third reading – where MPs will decide to either throw it out or pass it on to the House of Lords.George Freeman and Rupert Lowe, who voted in favour last year, said they were now against the law change.Five of Norfolk's other MPs told the BBC they remained supportive, two were still against, whilst another was undecided.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow adults with less than six months to live to receive medical assistance to die.In November last year it passed its first major vote in the Commons, backed with a majority of 55 MPs from a range of parties.Since then, a number of members have changed their minds.
Those include Mid-Norfolk Conservative Freeman, who said he was unhappy a requirement for a High Court judge to approve assisted dying applications was removed from the bill.He said he still "supported the aims of the bill", but felt more time should be used to consider it."The sanctity of life and the ethical responsibilities we hold as lawmakers demand a much more cautious approach," he said.Great Yarmouth's Independent MP Lowe said his view had changed for similar reasons.His previous vote in favour had come after asking constituents to take part in an online poll.He said he was now "frankly disgusted" the proposed law change had not received "a proper debate and consultation".
Norwich North's Labour MP Alice MacDonald and North West Norfolk Conservative James Wild both said they planned to continue supporting the bill.As did Waveney Valley's Green, Adrian Ramsay, although he said he was "still listening" to the wider debate.Labour's Clive Lewis, the Norwich South MP, said he expected to vote in favour but would "make a final decision based on all the amendments".And North Norfolk Liberal Democrat Steff Aquarone said he firmly believed "people with just a few months left to live should have the right to decide how, when and where they die".
Conservative Jerome Mayhew – who represents Fakenham and Broadland – voted against the bill in November and plans to do the same again.Labour's South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough also remains opposed.He said it was unclear if the NHS would be funded to provide assisted dying, alongside concerns that a growing number of people are struggling to access palliative care."We risk creating a system where the most vulnerable feel pressured to choose it, not because it's what they want, but because it's what's available."South West Norfolk's Labour MP Terry Jermy – who previously backed the bill – said he had yet to decide how he would vote.
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