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MPs will soon vote on legislation that would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for terminally ill patients, marking a historic political event.
The bill is open to a free vote meaning members from all parties will be allowed to vote however they feel is right. There are more unknowns than knowns, with slightly more thought to be in favour of voting for the bill.
Proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater in mid-October, the Private Members bill is lengthy, carrying strict stipulations about how the law is implemented.
To be eligible for assisted dying under the laws, a person has to be over 18 years old, have proven mental capacity, no more than six months left to live, and the consent of two medical professionals.
MPs will vote in Commons on Friday 29 November. A five-hour debate on the legislation is set to begin at 9.30am, with 175 MPs wishing to speak.
After this, MPs should then cast their votes.
However, it’s possible this debate won’t culminate in a vote at all if an eleventh-hour rebellion from a group of cross-party MPs proves successful.
Officially called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, the legislation has proven divisive since its proposal. Opponents have criticised a lack of safeguarding in the bill, and say its implications are too significant for the short amount of time.
Those who have spoken out against it is health secretary Wes Streeting, Labour veteran Diane Abbott, and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.
But Ms Leadbeater says she doesn’t have “any doubts whatsoever” about the bill, telling Sky News that the safeguards it contains will be “the most robust in the world” and “make coercion a criminal offence.”
Should the bill pass, it will only be agreed in principle. After this will begin a process of months of further debate, scrutiny and amendment by both MPs and Lords. Ms Leadbeater has said she expects the process to take a further six months.
For the latest political news and updates as MPs vote on the historic legislation, follow The Independent’s live coverage
Source: independent.co.uk
