MPs Josh Dean and Chris Vince back assisted dying while Chris Hinchliff and Kemi Badenoch vote against

Hertford and Stortford MP Josh Dean and his Labour colleague in Harlow, Chris Vince, have voted to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.

Their backing helped push the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through a third reading in the House of Commons on Friday (June 20).

The legislation proposed by Labour MP for Spen Valley Kim Leadbeater passed by 314 votes to 291, a majority of 23.

The proposal for terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to get medical assistance to end their own lives is now likely to become law.

North East Herts Labour MP Chris Hinchliff – whose constituency includes the East Herts villages of Little Hadham, Braughing, Standon and Puckeridge – voted against, as did North West Essex MP Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader.

The third reading of the bill was the last opportunity for MPs to approve or reject it and they were given a free vote on the issue, allowing them to vote with their conscience without a party whip.

Critics claimed the proposals do not include sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable people and that a private member’s bill was not the right way to introduce such profound social change. The Royal College of Psychiatry and many disability advocacy groups opposed the legislation as drafted.

The majority of MPs in favour has more than halved – from 55 – since they first backed moves to legalise assisted dying with a vote last November, which passed by 330 to 275.

The bill will now progress to the House of Lords, where it will face further scrutiny.

Mr Vince, whose constituency includes the Hallingburys, Hatfield Broad Oak, Hatfield Heath, Sheering, Lower Sheering and Matching, issued a statement after the historic vote.

“Since being elected, no issue has prompted more heartfelt correspondence from constituents than assisted dying,” he said.

“I’ve heard from people on all sides of this debate, those who have shared deeply personal stories of love, loss and suffering, and those who have expressed powerful concerns about protecting vulnerable people.

“I did not take this decision lightly. This is a moral, social and historic moment in Parliament. After closely engaging with the debate and carefully examining the amendments made during the committee stage, I was reassured by the strength of the safeguards in place.

“My decision ultimately came down to one core principle: dignity. People living with terminal illnesses have already lost their health, their comfort and their future. I do not believe we should also deny them the right to choose how and when they die, within a tightly regulated system.”

He added: “To those who opposed the legislation, I want to say thank you. Your concerns were heard and taken seriously. This bill would not have passed in its current form without the powerful case made for strict and enforceable safeguards.

“I will remain vigilant against any attempts to weaken those protections, and I believe this law must go hand in hand with proper investment in palliative and end-of-life care.”