A SOUTHAMPTON MP will hold a referendum with city residents before he votes on whether terminally ill people should be allowed to end their own lives.

Royston Smith will ask residents for their views ahead of the next debate on the assisted dying bill in the House of Commons.

He says that while he will not be bound by the results of the poll he wants to seek residents’ views before voting on the bill.

If they gain eventual approval and become law the proposals would see patients with no more than six months to live allowed to end their lives by a lethal dose of drugs on the authority of two doctors.

They would also have to demonstrate a “clear and settled intention” to end their lives before it was approved.

The matter, in which MPs are being allowed a free vote by their parties, is likely to be highly controversial with prime minister David Cameron voicing concerns about some people being “pressurised” into ending their lives.

Mr Smith, elected in May, had said in the build-up to the General Election that he would hold referenda on certain matters to get residents’ views before he votes.

In a letter being sent to constituents, he says he wants to get the opinions of as many residents as possible before it is debated on September 11 in the House of Commons.

In it he says: “I have received numerous letters and emails from people who have strong views on this issue. Leading up to the General Election I made several commitments. One of these was to hold constituency referendums on significant issues before I cast my vote in Parliament.

“As this is an issue that divides opinion, I felt it was important to seek the views of those I represent before I vote on this particular bill.

“All those who take part in the referendum will be kept informed of how I voted and my reasoning for doing so. However, as I have made clear in the past, I will not be bound by the outcome of the referendum as I am your elected representative and not a delegate.

“This process should enable local people to be much more connected with the important decisions made on their behalf.

“Inevitably, some will be disappointed by how I vote, although I hope they will understand my reasoning for doing so.”

He is asking residents to take part in a survey on his website and has urged people to contribute until the date of the debate on September 11.