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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
MPs face huge decision as they vote on historic assisted dying bill
MPs will today decide whether assisted dying should be legalised, with historic legislation on a knife-edge. Campaigners have called on MPs to change the law to give terminally ill people expected to live less than six months more control over how they die. But critics have voiced concerns about safeguards and warn it will set a "dangerous" precedent. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has been undergoing intense Commons scrutiny since November, when it passed its first hurdle by 330 votes to 275, a majority of 55. But some MPs have changed their mind since then, meaning it could go down to the wire. We'll be following the debate throughout the day. A terminally ill grandmother today tells MPs: 'I've had a good life, I would like the choice of a good death.' Jane Popplewell, 63, has been diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and fears she could die in pain. Explaining why she backs Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill she said: 'I feel passionately about this. It's about choice in a liberal society. My understanding is about 80% of the electorate are in favour. It's not about forcing it on anyone. It's about not dying in an undignified or painful way. Who would want that? 'When you have a terminal illness, the fact it might happen to you, it's difficult to imagine what that's like until it does. Who knows what my end will be like. I've led a good life and I would like the choice of a good death. I feel that everyone should have the right to that choice.' Click here for the full story Opponents of the assisted dying Bill last night called on MPs to vote it down. In an impassioned letter four Labour MPs said the legislation "simply does not do enough" to protect the vulnerable. The backbenchers wrote: "Some people lack the capacity to choose. "Some people's ability to choose is clouded by their mental health. Some people are coerced into making a decision they didn't want to make. "And some people may make choices that they wouldn't otherwise make with full sight of the facts." The four - Markus Campbell-Savours, Kanishka Narayan, Paul Foster and Jonathan Hinder - said many live longer than medics predict They pointed to reports that one in five patients given six months to live go on to have three years or more.. No one should be robbed of the possibility of an extra three years of precious memories with loved ones," they wrote. Fellow Labour MP Dan Carden (pictured below) yesterday said he had switched against the Bill, having previously abstained. He said: 'Legalising assisted suicide will normalise the choice of death over life, care, respect and love.' The Bill is back for third reading, which is the first time MPs will vote on the overall bill since November. Some amendments may be voted on before the debate turns to the whole Bill. At the last vote in November, MPs backed it by 330 to 275, majority 55, to give the bill second reading. Some MPs could change their vote so both camps have been closely monitoring the numbers. If it passes, then it will move onto the House of Lords for further scrutiny. It could return to the Commons if peers try to amend it, in a process known as "ping pong". But the Lords is not supposed to frustrate a piece of legislation passed by the Commons, as MPs are elected by the public and peers are not. If the bill doesn't pass, it falls - meaning it won't become law. It is unlikely another attempt to legalise assisted dying would be made for years if this one doesn't pass. A vote would be expected to take place mid-afternoon. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, would change the law to allow adults with a terminal illness in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death. The person needs to have fewer than six months to live and have the mental capacity to make the choice. Their decision must be "clear, settled and informed" at every stage - and free from coercion. The application would be subject to approval by two doctors and an expert panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. The terminally ill person would take an approved substance to end their life. The bill doesn't specify what drug. This will be provided by a doctor but only the person can take it - they cannot be fed it by someone else. Doctors won't be forced to take part in assisted dying as MPs have inserted a new clause to make this explicit. This also applies to anyone else who could be involved, such as care workers and pharmacists. Independent advocates will be created to support people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health conditions, as well as a disability advisory board. Other amendments made include banning assisted dying adverts and a ban on medics being able to raise the idea with anyone under 18.
The Independent
an hour ago
- Health
- The Independent
Assisted dying bill: Why this momentous vote remains so uncertain
The third reading and final Commons vote on Kim Leadbeater's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday marks a truly historic moment for parliament. The stakes are so high that entrepreneur Declan Ganley has offered a private ambulance to MP Sorcha Eastwood, who is ill with Covid, to get her to the Commons to vote against the Bill. No wonder. It has been almost six decades since MPs have considered a Bill that would cause such a profound and fundamental change in the state's relationship with individuals and society's attitude to life and death. An historic vote In December Ms Leadbeater won a 55 majority on the second reading vote of her Bill, dealing with the principle rather than details, and is expected to carry a reduced majority today, although that is less certain than it was before. If she is successful then the state, for the first time, will be licensed to end people's lives if they wish it and if the circumstances allow. Doctors will be allowed to offer it as an alternative to people who have been given six months left to live. What factors will MPs be considering? The lack of certainty on the vote is partly fueled by the fact that a number of MPs who voted for the principle made it clear that they were allowing the debate to be had and would reserve judgment on the final vote. The debate in fact has moved on from one of principle - which only a minority oppose - to one of practicalities. The questions faced by MPs include: Can such a law be introduced to allow those with genuine terminal illnesses who wish to end their lives to do so without exposing the weak, poor and vulnerable to coercion to end their lives? Can the so-called tight restrictions be prevented from expanding beyond that through medical practice, judicial intervention or further legislation? Will this end up being a means for saving costs on the care centre and the NHS? Are the safeguards strong enough to ensure that the new law will not be abused? What will be the impact on hospices and end of life care? MPs changing their minds The reason that the vote has become tighter is because a growing number of MPs are concerned about the potential answers to those questions. The only issue will be whether that is enough to block the Bill. Based on votes on the amendments as well as known supporters and opponents, the predictive voting model used by opponents of assisted dying gives Ms Leadbeater a majority of up to 15, ranging to a defeat of the Bill by a majority of five. Very close. Key to the debate will not be the heartbreaking stories of people suffering in their final months, or celebrity voices like Esther Rantzen. They have already had their effect. More important will be the big change to the Bill brought by Ms Leadbeater which means a judge in court will not have to sign off, as originally laid out in the second reading vote. Instead, there will be an expert panel led by a judge or KC but not with the same legal authority. It is worth noting that the judicial safeguard was cited by more than 100 MPs in the first debate. The 'slippery slope' argument The other issue at play will be whether this Bill is a full stop to the issue or is something that will unleash a loosening up of the law over time. The lesson from the then Liberal MP David Steel's abortion legislation in 1967 will play a part in the decision-making of a number of MPs, who will be considering the so-called 'slippery slope' issue of an apparently tightly worded piece of legislation expanding its reach over time. Just this week we have seen MPs vote by a large majority to decriminalise abortion – effectively allowing it up to birth without criminal consequences from the 24 weeks (six months) already legislated for. But more important will be the experience of other countries where assisted dying has been legalised. Ms Leadbeater has been at pains that this is a specifically British Bill. However, in Canada, Oregon in the US, the Netherlands, and New South Wales in Australia the legislation has expanded beyond terminal illness to include mental health and other issues. Ms Leadbeater in fact highlighted a case of a couple who decided to end their own lives in Australia after 70 years of marriage even though terminal illness was not a factor. How the debate will unfold She will argue on Friday though that her Bill has been strengthened since November. Opponents will point out that she has rejected safeguards on eating disorders, mental health, the requirement of people actually suffering pain and many other apparently reasonable checks to the process. Attempts to restrict assisted death advertising were brushed aside. An attempt to protect hospices from offering assisted dying were dismissed. She had also opposed an amendment preventing doctors recommending assisted dying to children, the one defeat she has suffered so far. Many have consistently argued that a private members bill is not sufficient to debate something that will have such a profound effect on the country. Indeed, 52 Labour MPs asked Keir Starmer, a supporter of assisted dying, to give more time for further scrutiny, an appeal he rejected. The issue today will be whether all these questions and issues will mean there are enough MPs to have second thoughts from their vote in November to overturn a 55-majority. If the Bill is defeated then it will not come back before the next election, if Ms Leadbeater wins then it will have cleared its most important hurdle and a battle in the Lords awaits where many of the issues will be debated again.
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
UK lawmakers to vote on allowing terminally ill adults to end their lives
FILE -Banners are held by pro-assisted dying campaigners as they gather outside Parliament ahead of Fridays report stage in the Commons on The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which is expected to see MPs vote on further amendments, in Westminster in London, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) KW flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Assisted dying law change - everything you need to know as MPs prepare to vote
A critical vote will take place in Parliament today on whether to legalise assisted dying as MPs have the chance to cast their verdict on the Bill after it passed its first hurdle in November MPs will take part in a make-or-break vote on whether to legalise assisted dying today(FRI). The landmark legislation has been undergoing intense Commons scrutiny since November, when it passed its first hurdle by 330 votes to 275, a majority of 55. Today's vote is a critical test as to whether assisted dying will become legal in England and Wales. Passing the bill would usher in one of the biggest societal changes since the legalisation of same-sex marriage a decade ago. But it faces intense opposition from critics, and MPs remain divided on the proposals. Here's what you need to know. What Assisted dying is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences. How would the law change? The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, would change the law to allow adults with a terminal illness in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death. The person needs to have fewer than six months to live and have the mental capacity to make the choice. Their decision must be "clear, settled and informed" at every stage - and free from coercion. The application would be subject to approval by two doctors and an expert panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. The terminally ill person would take an approved substance to end their life. The bill doesn't specify what drug. This will be provided by a doctor but only the person can take it - they cannot be fed it by someone else. Doctors won't be forced to take part in assisted dying as MPs have inserted a new clause to make this explicit. This also applies to anyone else who could be involved, such as care workers and pharmacists. Independent advocates will be created to support people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health conditions, as well as a disability advisory board. Other amendments made include banning assisted dying adverts and a ban on medics being able to raise the idea with anyone under 18. What happens in Parliament today? The Bill is back for third reading, which is the first time MPs will vote on the overall bill since November. Some amendments may be voted on before the debate turns to the whole Bill. At the last vote in November, MPs backed it by 330 to 275, majority 55, to give the bill second reading. Some MPs could change their vote so both camps have been closely monitoring the numbers. If it passes, then it will move onto the House of Lords for further scrutiny. It could return to the Commons if peers try to amend it, in a process known as "ping pong". But the Lords is not supposed to frustrate a piece of legislation passed by the Commons, as MPs are elected by the public and peers are not. If the bill doesn't pass, it falls - meaning it won't become law. It is unlikely another attempt to legalise assisted dying would be made for years if this one doesn't pass. A vote would be expected to take place mid-afternoon. What are the arguments for and against? Supporters say the ban on assisted dying is cruel, leaving dying people forced to suffer in pain and without dignity. They say terminally ill people deserve to have a choice to end their lives. Those who decide to go to Dignitas, in Switzerland, are faced with handling it alone or putting their families in a position where they could face criminal charges if they help them. But critics argue the bill does not have enough safeguards and has been rushed through. They worry about people being coerced into an assisted death, while some argue it could lead to a slippery slope with the legislation expanded over time. When could assisted dying become available if the law changes? The implementation period has been raised to a maximum of four years from royal assent - meaning it could not be until 2029 if the Bill passes until later this year. Ms Leadbeater said this was "a backstop" rather than a target and said she would put pressure on the Government to bring it in promptly if the Bill does pass. A Government impact assessment estimated between 164 and 647 assisted deaths could potentially take place in the first year of the service, rising to between 1,042 and 4,559 in year 10. Establishing a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner and three-member expert panels would cost an estimated average of between £10.9 million to £13.6 million per year, the document said. While noting that cutting end-of-life care costs "is not stated as an objective of the policy", the assessment estimated that such costs could be reduced by as much as an estimated £10 million in the first year and almost £60 million after 10 years. No funding has yet been set aside to resource an assisted dying service within the NHS as the Bill hasn't become law. What about the rest of the UK? The Isle of Man looks likely to become the first part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying, after its proposed legislation passed through a final vote of the parliament's upper chamber in March. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) in May voted in favour of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. It will now face scrutiny at Holyrood - and can only become law if MSPs back it in a final vote later this year. In the Crown dependencies, the Isle of Man passed its proposed legislation in March, making it the first place in the British Isles to approve the right to die. The bill must receive royal assent before it can become law. Attempts to legalise assisted dying in Northern Ireland would have to be passed by politicians at Stormont.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
I hope this is the last piece I ever have to write about assisted dying
MPs, read this horror before you vote today. Here's how some people are slowly dying, right now, in mortal agony untreatable by the best palliative care: 'Some will retch at the stench of their own body rotting. Some will vomit their own faeces. Some will suffocate, slowly, inexorably, over several days.' An average of 17 people a day are dying these bad deaths, according to 2019 figures, as reported by palliative care professionals who see it happen. The Inescapable Truth, a report from Dignity in Dying, revealed what is usually kept hidden from us: the shocking last months for the unluckiest. It could happen to you or me. The assisted dying bill's final Commons vote today is no abstract debate about slippery slopes or what God wants: to do nothing is to inflict torture on many. The vote may be tight: unwhipped private members' bills rely on MPs turning up. At second reading, 330 were in favour, 275 against. After 100 hours of detailed scrutiny and many strict amendments, more than 40 MPs switched both ways. No longer a judge, but an expert panel with a lawyer, social worker and psychiatrist will examine each application. Compromises include a four-year wait after royal assent for the service to be set up. An ITV News vote tracker expects 154 MPs to vote for it, 144 against, 22 undecided and 21 abstainers. Opponents are wheeling out their last-gasp tactics. Catholic bishops this week warned that the future of care homes and hospices will be put into 'grave doubt' by the legislation: 'Institutions whose mission has always been to provide compassionate care in sickness or old age, and to provide such care until the end of life, may have no choice, in the face of these demands, to withdraw from the provision of such care.' Disingenuous is a polite word – under the bill, health and social care workers can refuse involvement in the assisted dying process. God moves in such mysterious ways that some of his followers hide his involvement, without publicly revealing their religious reasons for opposing. The campaign group Our Duty of Care doesn't mention God on its website – nor the fact it shares an office with and is financed by evangelical groups. Membership of Care Not Killing, which runs the Our Duty of Care campaign, is largely religious. Only God ordains the time of our entrances and exits. The mystery is its secretiveness. Presumably that's because his word cuts very little mustard in a country where 53% have no religion. Others of the faith avoid mentioning him, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg on GB News, accusing Labour of 'a cult of death', with Labour MPs 'voting to finish off the elderly' in the week of the 'terrible vote from the House of Commons to allow infanticide of babies in the womb', after the Commons decriminalised women ending their pregnancies. Cult of death? That sounds more applicable to those willing to let others die in painful agony. But not all opponents are religious. One of the oddest is the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych). Although the bill requires patients to be mentally competent to request assisted dying, among other objections the RCPsych reminds MPs that 'terminal illness is a risk factor for suicide'. That's the point – a time when suicide might be quite rational. Offering psychiatry instead of an easeful potion could be greeted with expletives from those in agony. Disability groups have been persuasive, fearing they may be pushed towards shortening their lives, always at risk of being treated as inconvenient. But polling of those with disabilities shows 78% in favour assisted dying, in line with the rest of the population. Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man have moved ahead of England on this, and France just joined the many countries in legalising the right to die. Hundreds travel to Dignitas in Switzerland: 52% of Brits say they would consider this grim and lonely death, but few can afford the £15,000. About 650 suicides of the dying are recorded; there may be more of these lonely, unassisted deaths. If I sound intemperate, it's the memory of my mother's prolonged painful death: she thought her good GP would ease her way out but, post-Shipman, he couldn't. No, as some hope, morphine is not a kindly drug wafting you away – it can't remove all pain. Enough people have witnessed bad deaths that public opinion is strongly behind the right to die. Opponents warn people may be pushed into a faster death because they are a perceived burden on their family. To avoid inflicting suffering on those around you seems to me a good reason for not leaving a miserable memory of your final months. Knowing it's an option, even if never used, will comfort many given a terminal diagnosis. What if, opponents keep warning, someone is pressed into it? Everything is a balance of risks: set the absolute certainty of some horrible deaths against the possibility that a dying person may lose a few months of life. Which is worse? As Labour reaches one year in office, this vote should join this week's abortion decriminalisation as another milestone in the long history of personal freedoms that is always the party's legacy. While Harold Wilson never personally backed Roy Jenkins's long list of radical reforms, Keir Starmer has vociferously supported both bills. If it passes, it goes to the Lords, where 26 bishops will do their damnedest to stop it, reminding us why they should be removed along with the hereditaries. I have written often over many years on the right to die when we choose. I hope I never need to again. Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@ or jo@ In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at
