MPs in York have joined a local hospice in reacting to the Assisted Dying Bill being passed in a Parliamentary vote during its second reading.

Assisted dying could be legalised in England and Wales after a historic vote saw proposed legislation clear its first hurdle in Parliament.

A majority of MPs supported a Bill that would allow terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of less than six months to end their lives.

Encouraging or assisting suicide is currently against the law in England and Wales, with a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.

MPs voted 330 to 275, majority 55, to approve Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at second reading.

Luke Charters, MP for York Outer, had previously told The Press he planned to vote in favour of the bill.

He said: "Today was an historic vote and an emotional day in the House of Commons on both sides. 

"Kim Leadbeater, a fellow Yorkshire MP, did our region proud through her decorum and respect for both sides of the debate. 

"I voted in favour of the bill, and I am pleased to see it progress to committee stage. 

"Although the broad aspects of the bill are correct, in my view there is room for further improvement around parts of the bill, and I will commence a process of engaging with York Outer constituents so I can listen to their views, and feed this in as the legislation continues to progress through Parliament.  

"Thank you to all York Outer constituents who have shared your views with me and my team so far, and I look forward to hearing further thoughts."

People take part in a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Image: Yui Mok) Fellow Labour MP, York Central's Rachael Maskell, had pledged to vote against the bill. She said: "I am disappointed that Parliament has voted for the Bill at second reading, I will continue to listen and work through the Bill’s next stages.

"I am very concerned about the risk of coercion and lack of protection for vulnerable people. I think we should be focusing on improving end-of-life care for all, before thinking about assisting people to die.

"The current postcode lottery of service that sees 100,000 at the end of their lives not receiving the care they should is not acceptable.

"I know that many members voted the Bill through today wanting to see significant changes within it or to ensure there is more debate. Currently there are lots of unanswered questions and I will continue to do all I can as this Bill moves through Parliament to ensure this issue is given the scrutiny it deserves."

Both Luke Charters and Rachael Maskell have taken opposing stances in the debate (Image: Newsquest) Earlier this week, the medical director at St Leonard's Hospice spoke to The Press about the bill, confirming that the local hospice is taking a neutral stance.

In response to the vote, a spokesperson said: "Today’s historic vote marks a pivotal moment for the end-of-life care and hospice sector. We continue to remain neutral and will closely monitor the Bill’s progress through the next stages to fully understand what it means for our hospice.

"We strongly encourage MPs to draw on the expertise and experience of their local hospices as they further discuss the detail and the challenges highlighted during the parliamentary debate.

"What is encouraging is the broad agreement among all sides of the debate on the urgent need to improve access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care and to ensure fairer funding for the hospice sector.

"Everyone living with a life-limiting illness deserves the best possible care that is our continued focus."