MPs Daisy Cooper and Victoria Collins have spoken after voting in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

St Albans MP Ms Cooper, and Harpenden and Berkhamsted MP Ms Collins were among the 330 ayes in support of the bill, with 275 against. The bill will now proceed to its next Commons stage.

It was the second reading of the bill, which would make assisted dying legal for terminally ill adults who are expected to die within six months, and have the mental capacity, to choose how they end their lives.

Speaking after the vote on Friday, Ms Cooper said: "Today’s debate was very moving with powerful and emotive arguments on both sides of the debate. 

"I deliberated at length and grappled with the evidence and my own conscience before deciding how to vote, but I did vote for the Bill today and am pleased it will now progress for further debate and scrutiny, before another final vote.

"Ahead of the debate, in my open letter to constituents, I set out my concerns that the Bill may not adequately address issue of mental capacity and coercion. 

"During the debate, I secured a commitment -  from the MP who introduced the Bill - that she would look at my proposal for tightening safeguards when assessing a patient’s mental capacity and I intend to pursue this. 

"However the vote had gone, I’m acutely aware that people on the other side of the argument would have feared what this Bill would have meant for them, for loved ones and for society. 

"The MP sponsoring the debate has run a very consultative process so far and it’s right that Parliament has agreed that at the next stage, the committee should take the unusual step for a private members bill, of accepting external evidence. 

"I will continue to listen to constituents’ views and concerns as Parliament navigates the law, ethics and safeguards around this incredibly profound issue, and before I decide how to vote at the final stage."

Ms Collins added: "The debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was not always easy to hear. But as I listened to the debate, I was pleased that it was hugely measured and heartfelt on all sides of the house. 

"This was the second reading of the bill, which is far from the final bill. I believe it is important to have the opportunity to scrutinise and discuss the full details of this important issue, which is why I voted in favour of the Bill to move it to the committee stage.

"So many local people have written sharing stories about their family members, friends and their own considerations, who are looking for dignity in choice at their end of life. The vote today will give us a chance to further discuss assisted dying, scrutinise the bill, and to hear perspectives from all sides of the argument including concerns. 

"Throughout this debate, I have been moved by the many messages I have received from constituents, often sharing very personal stories and some even saying this is the first time they have written to their MP. This shows just how important an issue this is to so many people, and I remain highly grateful to everyone who has shared their perspective with me."