MPs Back Legalising Assisted Dying In Historic Commons Vote

Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who introduced the Assisted Dying Bill, speaks to supporters and the media following the vote.MPs have voted in favour of legalising assisted dying in a landmark moment for England and Wales.The 314-291 result, which followed a further five hours of debate in the House of Commons today, means the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has taken a huge step towards becoming law.Prime minister Keir Starmer was among those who voted for the bill.The private member’s bill, which was spearheaded by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, but it is highly unlikely that it will now be blocked.Under its provisions, terminally ill adults with less than six months left to live would be allowed to legally end their lives at at time when they choose instead of suffering though a prolonged illness.MPs were given a free vote on the issue, meaning they did not have to follow their party whip.The bill first came to the Commons in November and has been a source of heated debate between MPs over the last seven months.The proposals stipulate that an individual must have the mental capacity to make the choice, make two separate declarations – witnessed and signed – about their desire to die, and have approval from two independent doctors that they are eligible.A doctor would then prepare a substance which the terminally ill person has to take themselves.Coercing someone into ending their life would be made illegal too, punishable by a 14-year prison sentence.During a five-hour debate in parliament on Friday, some critics expressed fears that bad actors could force the terminally ill into an early death under this legislation.Others say they’re concerned about the procedures outlined in the bill or that they fear disabled people’s voices were not included in the consultation.Despite these oppositions, Leadbeater said earlier this week she was confident the bill would pass because it had a 55-vote majority at a previous round in the Commons.She said: “Most people believe, as I do, that we should all have the right to make the choices and decisions we want about our own bodies.”The principle of assisted dying has received widespread support from the public, according to pollsters at YouGov.A recent survey found 73% of Brits back the idea, while 72% support Leadbeater’s proposals.Related...What The Assisted Dying Bill Could Mean For Patients In England And Wales'Tortured By Being Kept Alive Against Our Will': Assisted Dying Campaigners Issue Final Plea To MPsI Had To Trick My Mum Into Assisted Living – And I Still Feel Guilty

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