𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

MPs will take part in a crunch Commons vote on the assisted dying Bill today. It will be the first time the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has been debated and voted on in its entirety since last year’s historic yes vote, when MPs supported the principle of assisted dying for England and Wales by a majority of 55.

It is the third reading stage before the Bill will move through to the Lords. MPs are entitled to have a free vote, meaning they decide according to their conscience rather than along party lines.

The relatively narrow majority means every vote will count to secure the Bill’s passage to the House of Lords for further debate and voting. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said she is confident MPs will back her Bill in the crucial vote. Dame Esther Rantzen warned it is the “last chance for years – maybe decades – to give terminally ill patients the hope the desperately need”.

The proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.

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