An MP has opened up about her family struggles as she explained her vote on the assisted dying bill.

Mims Davies, MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, voted against the bill which would allow adults with terminal illnesses “to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life” on Friday, November 29.

The politician revealed her father’s own struggles with “long term disablement and health impacts due to an attack at work”, meaning her family had to care for him, leaving her mother’s health and the family’s finances affected.

She said: “No human life is sadly immune to pain and suffering and it’s the most awful feeling as a loved one to see your loved one struggling for any reason.

“I know many people and their families will be watching this with great interest or, indeed, concern.

“Please be assured; I was extremely mindful when I took this vote of its impact and how it may be interpreted."

READ MORE: Majority of MPs vote in favour of Assisted Dying Bill

She added: “It is my firm commitment I took this vote very seriously and approached this second reading debate with the utmost respect and I thank all constituents again greatly for writing to me and sharing insights which I am grateful for.”

The MP said that her vote was influenced by “questions she could not overcome” although she accepted that “democracy has prevailed”.

“It will now be a matter for the committee process to respond to these challenges”, she added, “and I will continue to do my work on understanding and scrutinising its next changes and look at the final bill again on behalf of constituents on both sides of the debate”.

Members of Parliament debated and voted on the bill during its second reading at the House of Commons on Friday, November 29.

The bill, put forward by Labour MP for Spen Valley Kim Leadbeater, was backed by 330 votes to 275 and will now move on to be scrutinised during the committee stage, the date of which is yet to be announced.