LOCAL MPs were divided in their voting in Parliament on Friday (June 20) when the assisted dying bill was given its third reading.

Taunton and Wellington’s Gideon Amos voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, but his Lib Dem colleague Rachel Gilmour and Conservative Sir Ashley Fox both supported it.

Mrs Gilmour’s Tiverton and Minehead constituency covers West Somerset and Exmoor and takes in a number of parishes around Wellington and in the Culm Valley and Blackdown Hills.

She said she was ‘proud’ to support ‘the most monumental changes to how we think about end of life care’.

Mrs Gilmour said it would ‘give dignity to those who are close to the end of their lives’.

She said: “I know this is the right decision to make so those who wish to exercise this choice can do so freely, with full autonomy over the circumstances.

“I recognise there is still work to be done to get this Bill through the House of Lords, but I hope they will follow the example of the Commons and conduct this debate respectfully, and fully aware of the groundbreaking decision they will be taking.

“I am thankful for the work that has been done by MP Kim Leadbeater and others in drawing up this Bill.

“I now look to the Government for how they will seek to implement these changes in a careful, respectful, and dignified way.”

Mr Amos has not issued a statement, but when voting previously against the Bill he ‘completely agreed’ people needed better help at the end of life.

He wanted priority to be given to improving palliative care so people could live ‘happily and comfortably right up to the end’.

Mr Amos said at the time: “My worry is many who already say they feel they are a burden on others will now put themselves under an unseen and unheard pressure to bring their lives to an end early.

“Handing to the State the role of assisting people to die, when the alternative of a real right to live comfortably is not there, could be very dangerous for vulnerable people who all too often face coercion already in many areas of their lives.”

Sir Ashley, whose Bridgwater constituency takes in parts of rural West Somerset, similarly spoke last November of recognising arguments on both sides and said he respected those who disagreed with him.

His vote in favour came after listening to ‘the many constituents who have shared their views with me’ and carefully reviewing the Bill.

The private members bill raised by Ms Leadbeater was passed by a majority of 23, by 314 votes to 291, and still needs to pass through the House of Lords before it can become law.

Ms Leadbeater, sister of murdered MP Jo Cox, said the Bill would ‘offer a compassionate and safe choice to terminally ill people who want to make it’.

MPs had free rein on the Bill, meaning they were able to follow their conscience rather than instructions from their political party.