MPs are voting on the next stage of the assisted dying bill. This is their chance to create a legacy | Polly Toynbee

What governments do is mostly forgotten, but freeing people from the threat of a painful death would be a great liberalising moment in British history“Assisted dying bill at risk of collapse”, gloats the Telegraph today, echoed by the Times. Not so, says Kim Leadbeater and her campaigners. Some so-called switchers who abstained last time were always known as opponents. MPs who gave her bill a 55 majority on the first vote are standing firm, she says, as the debate returns to parliament on Friday.It’s a well worn tactic to pretend the tide is moving your way to sway any nervous MPs in wobbly seats. They should note the hefty majority of voters supporting the right to die for decades. British social attitudes first polled in 1983 found 77% of people in favour, a number that has been solid ever since. Keir Starmer’s reiterated support today may stiffen some of his MPs’ sinews.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

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