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Local MPs Split In Legalising Assisted Dying

Saturday, 12 September 2026 14:28

Local MPs Split In Legalising Assisted Dying

Our two local MP's, Kevin McKenna (Sittingbourne & Sheppey - Labour) and Helen Whately (Faversham & Mid Kent - Conservative) voted differently in yesterday's (Friday 11th September) House Of Commons Debate on proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.

Our two local MP's, Kevin McKenna (Sittingbourne & Sheppey - Labour) and Helen Whately (Faversham & Mid Kent - Conservative) voted differently in yesterday's (Friday 11th September) House Of Commons Debate on proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, tabled by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, would have allowed adults with fewer than six months to live to apply to be given help to end their own life, subject to certain safeguards but the House voted 286 to 270 - a majority of 16 - against the proposed legislation.

Kevin McKenna voted In Favour and Helen Whately Against the introduction of new legislation. 

Assisted dying has been the subject of extensive debate in Parliament over the past two years and had the legislation been approved, it would have marked one of the most significant societal changes in recent years.

MPs were granted a free vote, meaning they were able to vote according to their individual views rather than along party lines.

The proposed bill included several safeguards. Anyone seeking an assisted death would have required approval from two doctors, as well as an expert panel.

However, critics argued that the legislation did not go far enough to protect vulnerable people from being pressured or coerced into ending their lives. Others maintained that improving access to high-quality palliative care should instead be the priority.

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