Archbishop John Sherrington has welcomed MPs’ decision not to allow the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to progress, while renewing the Catholic Church’s call for a compassionate response to those facing serious illness and the end of life.
The Bill was defeated at its Second Reading in the House of Commons, with 286 MPs voting against its progression and 270 voting in favour – a majority of 16.
Archbishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues and Archbishop of Liverpool, expressed his gratitude to those who had spoken and acted in support of the dignity and sanctity of human life throughout the debate.
“We are pleased that MPs have voted to oppose the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill,” Archbishop John said. “We would like to thank those who wrote to their MPs to stop the bill’s progression and who assisted the campaign against the bill in other ways.”
He also thanked the MPs who voted against the Bill, alongside doctors, legal professionals, disability groups, people of other faiths and those of no faith who had made their voices heard.
“Throughout this debate, we have argued that our response to those facing serious illness, disability or the challenges of old age should be rooted in solidarity, care and respect,” he said.
“The true measure of a compassionate society is its willingness to support people through difficult circumstances rather than encouraging them to end their lives.”
The Archbishop highlighted the daily witness of families, friends, carers and healthcare professionals who accompany people through periods of suffering, reminding us of the importance of human relationships and our shared responsibility to care for one another, particularly at life’s most vulnerable moments.
He renewed the Church’s call for greater access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.
“We remain convinced that the most effective way to address suffering at the end of life is through greater access to excellent palliative and end-of-life care,” he said. “Ensuring such care is available to all who need it can help people experience comfort, dignity and support in their final days.”
Archbishop John also paid tribute to those working in hospices, hospitals, care homes and communities, saying that the Church will continue to stand alongside those who devote themselves to caring for people who are dying.
The Archbishop concluded by asking the Catholic community to continue to pray for those who are sick and frail, for their families and carers, and for those entrusted with making decisions about the laws of the country.
“May all the sick and frail find comfort in the support of their loved ones, and the love of God, which transcends all suffering,” he said.
“I ask the Catholic community to continue to pray for our legislators, that they will ensure that our laws always uphold the dignity of human life.”
How MPs representing the Diocese voted
As a Diocese, Northampton covers parts of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire north of the River Thames.
Of the 21 MPs representing constituencies within the Diocese, 16 voted in favour of the Bill and five voted against it.
Northamptonshire
| MP | Constituency | Party | Vote |
| Lee Barron | Corby and East Northamptonshire | Labour | Aye |
| Stuart Andrew | Daventry | Conservative | No |
| Rosie Wrighting | Kettering | Labour | Aye |
| Lucy Rigby | Northampton North | Labour | Aye |
| Mike Reader | Northampton South | Labour | Aye |
| Sarah Bool | South Northamptonshire | Conservative | No |
| Gen Kitchen | Wellingborough and Rushden | Labour | Aye |
5 Aye | 2 No
Bedfordshire
| MP | Constituency | Party | Vote |
| Mohammad Yasin | Bedford | Labour | Aye |
| Sarah Owen | Luton North | Labour | Aye |
| Rachel Hopkins | Luton South and South Bedfordshire | Labour | Aye |
| Blake Stephenson | Mid Bedfordshire | Conservative | No |
| Richard Fuller | North Bedfordshire | Conservative | No |
3 Aye | 2 No
Buckinghamshire
| MP | Constituency | Party | Vote |
| Laura Kyrke-Smith | Aylesbury | Labour | Aye |
| Joy Morrissey | Beaconsfield | Conservative | Aye |
| Callum Anderson | Buckingham and Bletchley | Labour | Aye |
| Sarah Green | Chesham and Amersham | Liberal Democrat | Aye |
| Emily Darlington | Milton Keynes Central | Labour | Aye |
| Chris Curtis | Milton Keynes North | Labour | Aye |
| Emma Reynolds | Wycombe | Labour | Aye |
7 Aye | 0 No
Berkshire
Diocesan territory north of the River Thames
| MP | Constituency | Party | Vote |
| Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi | Slough | Labour | Aye |
| Jack Rankin | Windsor | Conservative | No |
1 Aye | 1 No
The diocesan picture
Across the 21 MPs representing areas within the Diocese:
16 voted Aye – 76.2% 5 voted No – 23.8%
By party:
- Labour: 14 Aye | 0 No
- Conservative: 1 Aye | 5 No
- Liberal Democrat: 1 Aye | 0 No
Every Labour MP representing an area within the Diocese voted in favour of the Bill.
Five of the six Conservative MPs voted against it. Joy Morrissey, MP for Beaconsfield, was the only Conservative MP representing a diocesan constituency to vote in favour.
Sarah Green, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesham and Amersham, also voted in favour.
