South Tyneside's MPs disagree over assisted dying - here's how they voted and why
The two Labour MPs have completely opposite views on the subject.
South Tyneside’s two MPs have given their reasons for voting differently to each other after Parliament rejected proposals to legalise assisted dying were rejected.
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne was among the 269 members voting for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, while Emma Lewell for South Shields was one of 286 voting against. There were 87 abstentions.
The bill aimed to allow adults with under six months to live to apply to to end their own lives, but with certain safeguards.
In June 2025 MPs voted in favour, but the bill was then backed by the Lords after more than 1,200 amendments were added by peers.
Although this particular bill was voted down, with some MPs changing their minds since 2025, there could be another attempt to legalise assisted dying in the next session of parliament.
After Friday’s vote Ms Lewell said: “Today, the Assisted Dying Bill has been voted down.
“I voted against it and I sincerely hope it does not return.
“It is now time that Parliament focusses on good palliative and end-of-life care. That’s how we offer real dignity and choice.”
But Ms Osborne feels that the bill was defeated by technicalities rather than democracy
She wrote: “I voted in favour of the bill because I remain convinced that the current law does not adequately meet the needs of terminally ill people seeking an assisted death and can add further anguish at an already incredibly difficult time.
“I understand and respect the deeply held views on both sides of this debate and I am grateful to the many constituents in Jarrow and Gateshead East who have written, emailed and spoken to me about it.
“It is disappointing that many of the objections raised today were around parliamentary process rather than about the issue of assisted dying itself.
“The same bill was passed by MPs last time, it was not rejected by the Lords, instead they used procedural devices to block it and today MPs allowed them to frustrate parliamentary processes.”
Among MPs voting against were Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Women’s Minister Bridget Phillipson, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.
For were Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Abstainers included Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Chancellor John Healey and Reform leader Nigel Farage.