British politicians broke down in tears in parliament last night

Jeremy Wilson

Nov 3, 2015, 14:47 IST

Politicians are famous for their proverbially thick skin. But there were emotional scenes in the House of Commons last night when Antoinette Sandbach, the Conservative MP for Eddisbury, broke down in tears after sharing the story of the night she lost her child.

Sandbach was taking part in an adjournment debate on bereavement care in maternity units that had been proposed by Will Quince, the Conservative MP for Colchester who has also suffered the loss of his baby.

Adjournment debates are an opportunity for back bench MPs to raise issues that are close to their hearts. These debates are usually very poorly attended.

But last night Tory MPs packed the benches behind Will Quince and Antoinette Sandbach to show their support. Many took to Twitter afterwards to praise their bravery.

Tonight's adjournment debate on maternal bereavement by @willquince & @ASandbachMP moved me to tears. Thank you both for raising this issue.
- James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) November 3, 2015

Very emotional & key adjournment debate last eve-MP's who've lost their children @willquince @ASandbachMP on maternity bereavement provision
- MimsDaviesMP (@mimsdavies) November 3, 2015

Really powerful stuff in the adjournment debate tonight. These really are worth hanging around for. Well done @willquince @ASandbachMP
- Johnny Mercer MP (@JohnnyMercerMP) November 2, 2015

If you want to see Parlmt at its best, look no further than @ASandbachMP and @willquince speeches on bereavement in maternity units tonight.
- Chris Heaton-Harris (@chhcalling) November 2, 2015

A tremendously powerful debate hosted by @willquince & @ASandbachMP tonight on bereavement care in maternity wards - superb speeches
- Ben Howlett MP (@ben4bath) November 2, 2015

Brave, brave, brave @willquince @ASandbachMP in tonight's debate and good action points on bereavement that the Minister will act on.
- Dr Tania Mathias MP (@tania_mathias) November 2, 2015

Incredibly moving speeches from @willquince and @ASandbachMP, from painful experience, of need for bereavement care in maternity units.
- Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) November 2, 2015

Since the MPs were just debating a motion and not voting on it, last night's debate didn't lead to any legislative change on maternity care. But Quince and Sandbach will hope they have opened up a debate on the subject.

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