Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is among the MPs who have backed legalising assisted dying in a historic vote following an emotional four hour debate in the Commons.
The vote has divided cabinet with health secretary Wes Streeting and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner among those who voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at third reading.
The Bill passed with a majority of 23 on Friday, as 314 MPs voted in favour and 291 voted against.
The bill allows 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.
It will now move to the House of Lords, where it will be scrutinised further.
MPs were given a free vote on the bill, meaning they were allowed to vote on their on beliefs rather than with a party line.
Outside parliament, protesters from both sides have rallied since this morning to make their final cases.
Supporters of the assisted dying Bill wept, jumped and hugged each other outside Parliament as the news came through that it had been passed by MPs.
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Key Points
- MPs vote for historic End of Life bill with majority of just 23
- Full report: Vote will see assisted dying legalised in historic social change
- Starmer backs assisted dying bill
- MPs moved to tears during debate
- Supporters of bill celebrate outside Parliament
- What does the assisted dying bill mean?
Why was Dan Norris able to vote despite being asked to stay away from parliament?
16:59
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox explains:
North East Somerset MP Dan Norris, who has been suspended by Labour over rape and child abuse allegations, was able to vote in favour of assisted dying despite being asked to stay away from parliament.
He is able to do this because he is away from parliament on “a voluntary basis” and can ask a whip or another MP to vote on his behalf.
The same happened to Tory MP Andrew Rosindell when he was asked to stay away over rape allegations for around two years, with the police ultimately dropping the case.
If Mr Norris is convicted and sent to prison then he loses his right to vote and would potentially face a recall petition for a by-election in his seat.
What happens now?
16:48
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Athena Stavrou
The assisted dying bill has passed through the Commons on Friday - but it is not law yet.
It will now be passed on to the House of Lords, who will scrutinise the bill.
There is a chance that the Lords delay or make amendments to the bill.
If it passes through the Lords, the implementation of the bill has been doubled to a maximum of four years from royal assent, rather than the initially suggested two years.
If the bill was to pass later this year that would mean it might not be until 2029, potentially coinciding with the end of this Government’s parliament, that assisted dying was being offered.
How the Commons voted today:
16:31
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Athena Stavrou
Suspended MP votes by proxy
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Athena Stavrou
A Labour MP who is currently suspended has had a vote recorded on assisted dying.
Dan Norris is banned from parliament after being arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.
According to Sky News, he cast a vote in favour of assisted dying by proxy.
A Labour spokesperson told the broadcaster: "Members without the party whip are allowed a proxy vote under rules agreed by the House."
Kim Leadbeater asked about bill's passage through Lords
16:11
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Athena Stavrou
Asked whether she expected any “funny games” in the second chamber, such as a delay to the Bill or a wrecking amendment, Kim Leadbeater replied: “I really hope that there are no ‘funny games’ because the process has been extremely thorough.”
She said parliamentary process “doesn’t always seem to make sense to people – it’s steeped in tradition, but it’s important that we respect parliamentary process”.
The Labour MP for Spen Valley added: “I would be upset to think that anybody was playing games with such an important and such an emotional issue.”
Speaking to journalists about the Bill’s future, and whether it will become law in this session, Ms Leadbeater said: “We don’t know when the session will end.”
She added: “The Government’s got a lot of bills to get through, so that will take some time, so I’m not imagining that’s going to be imminently, but it could be before the end of the year.”
Ms Leadbeater said she expected a “very strong debate going forward” in the Lords.
'Key concerns' remain unresolved: Royal College of Psychiatrists
16:01
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Athena Stavrou
Many “key concerns” surrounding the assisted dying Bill remain unresolved after it was passed to the House of Lords, the Royal College of Psychiatrists said.
The organisation’s president Dr Lade Smith CBE said: “We are particularly concerned that the Bill does not currently require a holistic assessment of unmet need.
“Does a person have a mental disorder that is contributing to their wish to die? Do they feel like a burden? Are they lonely? Do they have access to the care they need?
“We also have concerns relating to risk factors for suicide, the Mental Capacity Act, and workforce shortages.
“We remain focused on sharing our expert clinical insight to ensure the Bill has strong safeguards for those who are vulnerable, especially people with mental illness, intellectual disability and autistic people, to ensure the Bill is in line with the role and core duties of psychiatrists and other doctors, should it become law.”
Dame Esther Rantzen welcomes assisted dying vote
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Holly Evans
In an interview with ITV News she said: “It’s really important it becomes law so dying people in the future will have confidence knowing they can ask for a quick pain free death.
"It won’t come in my lifetime, I won’t live long enough but I am so relieved it will help future generations to look forward to a good death. I am astonished I have lived to see the moment.
"Months ago before the PM was elected he said that he would do his best to make sure I witnessed debate. I didn’t think it was possible, it’s happened, I’m astonished."
Assisted dying: How your MP voted
15:36
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Holly Evans
Marie Curie calls for palliative care available to be reviewed
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Holly Evans
Marie Curie has called for end-of-life care to be urgently reviewed to look at gaps in the system.
The organisation’s chief executive, Matthew Reed, said: “If assisted dying is legalised, it is more crucial than ever that our governments across the UK ensure that there is palliative care available for anyone who needs it.
“It is impossible to imagine that this could be achieved without an assessment of the quality and distribution of palliative care services currently available.
“While we welcome that the assisted dying bill has been amended to require such an assessment, this will not on its own make the improvements needed to guarantee everyone is able to access the palliative care they need.”
He said Marie Curie will keep making the case to the Government for a palliative care strategy for England with “a sustainable funding settlement” and to ask the incoming Welsh Government to “transform palliative and end-of-life care” to ensure equal access to good care.
He added: “Marie Curie remains neutral on the question of whether assisted dying should be legalised, and whether the law changes in England and Wales or not, it is vital that governments across the UK are held to account to ensure plans are in place to fix end-of-life care for good.”
Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting voted against the Terminally Ill Adults Bill
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Holly Evans
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at third reading.
According to the Commons division list, they were joined in the “no” lobby by Cabinet colleagues: Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones.
Voting in favour were: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, chief whip Alan Campbell, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Scotland Secretary Ian Murray, Commons Leader Lucy Powell, Environment Secretary Steve Reed, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Wales Secretary Jo Stevens.
Care minister Stephen Kinnock, who spoke at the end of Friday’s debate, voted in favour of the Bill.
Kim Leadbeater in tears as MPs vote in favour of assisted dying bill
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Holly Evans
Watch: MPs vote in favour of assisted dying bill
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Holly Evans
Bill 'faces an uphill battle' to get through the House of Lords
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Holly Evans
Opposition campaigners Right To Life UK said the Bill “still faces an uphill battle” to get through the House of Lords.
Spokeswoman Catherine Robinson said: “Although the Bill passed the Commons today, momentum remains with its opponents, with support consistently falling every time MPs have considered it.
“The Bill leaves the Commons lacking a majority, with fewer than half of all MPs voting for it at its final stage.
“The Bill still faces an uphill battle to reach Royal Assent. We will be fighting it at every stage in the House of Lords.”
Bill fails to protect 'vulnerable and disabled people'
14:58
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Holly Evans
The Bill remains “deeply flawed and dangerous”, opposition campaigners said after the vote.
Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing said: “This is a deeply flawed and dangerous Bill that since November has been made considerably worse with important safeguards watered down or scrapped.”
He added: “The current Bill fails to protect vulnerable and disabled people from coercion.”
Starmer backs assisted dying bill
14:54
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Holly Evans
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at third reading, the Commons division list shows.
It also shows Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch cast her vote in the “no” lobby, voting against plans to roll out assisted dying in the UK.
Campaign groups welcome result
14:47
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Athena Stavrou
Campaign groups in favour of assisted dying have welcomed today’s vote in the Commons.
Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, said: “MPs have finally recognised the fact that assisted dying is already happening in this country.
“People are travelling to Switzerland if they have the money and mobility to do so. Others are dying in traumatic circumstances by suicide.
“Many more are suffering greatly, even while receiving the best possible care.
“Today, we are a significant step closer to ending that unnecessary and cruel suffering and MPs should be commended for taking this step.”
Full report: Vote will see assisted dying legalised in historic social change
14:42
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Athena Stavrou
Assisted dying is one step closer to becoming law after a historic vote in the House of Commons, paving the way for one of the biggest changes to social policy since abortion was legalised in 1967.
Following an emotional debate, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed by 314 to 291 with a majority of just 23, in a major victory for its sponsor Kim Leadbeater.
The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
'This means I can die holding my children's hands'
14:41
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Athena Stavrou
Supporters of the Bill were clearly emotional and happy outside Parliament as the news broke it had been passed.
Jenny Carruthers, 57, from Bath, had retired from the NHS due to ill-health.
She said she felt emotional and relieved.
Ms Carruthers wiped tears from her eyes and hugged friends and fellow campaigners.
She said: “This means that I can die holding my children’s hands.”
Supporters of bill celebrate outside Parliament
14:37
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Athena Stavrou
Supporters of the assisted dying Bill wept, jumped and hugged each other outside Parliament as the news came through that it had been passed by MPs.
The crowd of around 100 people in Parliament Square, Westminster, erupted into cheers on Friday afternoon as the news was livestreamed over a speaker by campaigners from Dignity In Dying.
One supporter said: “Yes, dad” and others patted each other on the shoulder.
“This is for all the people who couldn’t be here today. This vote sends a clear message. Parliament stands with the public and change is coming,” said Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying.
MPs vote for historic End of Life bill with majority of just 23
14:31
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Athena Stavrou
MPs have voted in favour of the assisted dying bill after an emotional four hour debate moved MPs to tears in the Commons.
314 MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday afternoon.
291 voted against the legislation, meaning the bill passed with a majority of 23.
House divided to vote
14:15
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Athena Stavrou
MPs have now cleared the lobby to vote on the assisted dying bill.
We will bring you the result as soon as it is called.
Starmer arrived to vote
14:13
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Athena Stavrou
The prime minister has arrived at parliament in time to vote on the assisted dying bill.
There was speculation earlier that Sir Keir Starmer would not vote as he was dealing with conflict in the Middle East.
But he is now sat on the frontbench, minutes before a vote is set to be called.
14:08
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Athena Stavrou
Watch: MPs in tears during emotional debate
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Athena Stavrou
Families outside parliament tell stories of loved-ones
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Athena Stavrou
Teachers Catie and Becky Fenner attended a gathering of Dignity in Dying campaigners in Parliament Square ahead of the vote.
Their mother, who had motor neurone disease, flew to Dignitas in Switzerland to end her life.
The sisters said worrying about the legal implications of this meant they did not get to properly say goodbye and grieve.
Catie, 37, from Oxfordshire, said: “We had to stay behind because mum was insistent she wanted to protect us.
“We didn’t have the goodbye we wanted.
“It cost £15,000. Luckily, we could afford that but many people cannot.
“We were left quite traumatised by the whole experience – not only seeing a parent go through a really horrible disease but then the secrecy of the planning. We couldn’t tell anyone.
“We have had grief counselling. We don’t want any other family to go through what we went through.
“We want families to be able to say goodbye in this country without the fear of prosecution.”
MPs moved to tears by personal stories
13:32
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Athena Stavrou
Today’s debate and vote on the assisted dying bill is clearly a personal issue for many in and out of the Commons.
In the chamber, MPs have brought personal and emotional stories to the debate - bringing some of their colleagues to tears.
Maureen Burked, Labour MP for Glasgow North East, shared an emotional story about her brother, who was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
She described his deteriorating condition, which eventually left him unable to speak due to the strength of his painkillers.
“One of the last times when he still was able to speak, he called out to me from his bed and told me if there was a pill that he could take to end his life, he would very much like to take that," she said.
As she said she was “doing right by her brother” by speaking up in favour of the bill, her colleagues behind her were visibly moved to tears.
An hour to go until MPs have to vote
13:25
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Athena Stavrou
MPs have been debating the assisted dying bill since this morning, and now have just an hour left if they choose to vote today.
The Commons only give until 2:30pm for private members bills to be debated on Friday, which means MPs have to vote before then.
Poll of the day: Do you support the assisted dying bill?
13:20
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Athena Stavrou
The assisted dying bill, facing a knife-edge vote after key safeguards were dropped, has reignited a deeply divisive debate over dignity, safety, and the limits of end-of-life choice.
With so much at stake and such deeply personal questions at the heart of this debate, we want to hear from you: do you support the assisted dying bill?
Vote in our poll in the story below and let us know your thoughts in the comments:
Watch: James Cleverly’s tells MPs of ‘painful’ death of best friend in assisted dying bill debate
13:15
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Athena Stavrou
Care Not Killing CEO: Starmer should take responsibility for bill
13:08
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Athena Stavrou
The chief executive of Care Not Killing has called for MPs to reject the bill as he said Sir Keir Starmer should have taken responsibility for it.
Speaking outside Parliament, Dr Gordon Macdonald said: “There are still lots of problems with this bill, and MPs should reject it today.
“As this is a private members’ bill, the MP in charge of the bill was able to choose who she wanted in the committee, choose who she wanted to give evidence and decide which amendments would be accepted and which wouldn’t, so I believe the whole process is completely flawed and I believe the Government needs to hold responsibility for this.
“Keir Starmer should have taken responsibility for this.”
MPs explain why they've switched positions
12:58
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Athena Stavrou
A Conservative backbencher indicated he had changed his voting position on the assisted dying Bill since it was first introduced.
Mike Wood, the MP for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, told the Commons: “I didn’t vote at second reading in November.
“The member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater) in her opening speech this morning said that we could choose to vote with our head or with our heart.
“I am afraid it is that tension, that conflict, that I have been grappling with over the last few months.”
He said his “sympathy of the principle of assisted dying was as strong as it ever was”, but later added he would be “voting against this afternoon” because he did not believe the Bill offered enough safeguards.
Downing Street declines to comment on whether Starmer will vote
12:48
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Athena Stavrou
Downing Street declined to say whether Sir Keir Starmer will attend the Commons debate on the assisted dying Bill.
A Number 10 spokesman said: “I’m not going to get ahead of proceedings in the House or speculate on the prime minister’s movements… the prime minister is working in Number 10, but as I say I’m not going to speculate on the PM’s movements today.”
For context:
Earlier, reports suggested Sir Keir, who supports the bill, may not attend the Commons.
But The Times reported that Starmer could miss the vote as he deals with the growing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Watch: Campaigners gather outside parliament before crunch vote
12:40
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Athena Stavrou
Compassion 'at core' of bill, MP says
12:34
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Athena Stavrou
Labour MP Rachel Hopkins has urged her colleagues to support the assisted dying bill in the Commons.
Ms Hopkins, who co-sponsored the bill, said dying people are “at the heart” of the legislation, which she says has “compassion at its core”.
Anorexia 'loophole' still not closed, MP says
12:30
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Athena Stavrou
An MP has warned that, despite an earlier amendment, a “loophole” allowing anorexia patients to access assisted dying is still not closed.
Labour MP Naz Shah told the Commons that she had originally supported the assisted dying bill “in principle”, she did not believe the proposed legislation was safe.
Referring to her amendment 14 to prevent a patient meeting the requirements for an assisted death “solely as a result of voluntarily stopping eating or drinking”, which MPs backed earlier on Friday, and a further amendment 38 which was not added to the Bill, Ms Shah told the Commons: “This is not the anorexia loophole that has been closed – that was another amendment.
“When people stop voluntarily eating and drinking, that is not what happens to people with anorexia. People with anorexia stop eating and drinking because they have a psychiatric illness. These are two categorically different issues.
“So I must make it clear, absolutely clear, even though amendment 14 has passed today, this amendment does not address concerns about anorexia or close that loophole.”
Protesters continue to gather outside parliament
12:22
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Athena Stavrou
In Parliament Square, campaigners opposing the Bill, wearing white T-shirts, appeared to outnumber those for the Bill, wearing pink T-shirts.
Campaigners against the Bill chanted “We are not dead yet” and “Kill the Bill, not the ill”.
A display was erected with a gravestone reading “R.I.P: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Bury it deep”, and behind were two mounds apparently meant to resemble graves.
One campaigner against the Bill could be seen being spoken to by police after shouting at an opposing activist.
Lib Dem MP reads out traumatic letter from a constituent
12:15
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
Lib Dem MP Josh Babarinde, a supporter of the Bill has read out a letter from a constituent describing the traumatic end of their partner.
The slow painful death could have been avoided, he said if there had been assisted dying legislation in place.
The strategy of rehearsing terrible cases has been fall back argument for many supporters of the Bill.
However, on interventions Mr Babarinde was unwilling to deal with issues of coercion and implied that he did not agree with the concept of “self coercion”.The dividing lines in the chamber are clear.
Watch: Kim Leadbeater tells MPs failure to back assisted dying is ‘a vote for the status quo’
12:10
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Athena Stavrou
Doctor explains why he changed his mind on bill
11:57
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Athena Stavrou
Labour MP Peter Prinsley, a supporter of the bill, has explained that as a young doctor he would have opposed the bill but now “as an old doctor” supports it.
He emphasised that dignity in life should also be balanced by dignity in death.
Dr Prinsley is the doctor in the chamber to speak on the bill, he will not be the last with divisions on both sides of the medical profession.
But he said his experience of patients suffering meant that he believes assisted dying is necessary.
MPs bringing personal stories to debate
11:50
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Athena Stavrou
Today’s debate and vote on the assisted dying bill is clearly a personal issue for many in and out of the Commons.
In the chamber, MPs have brought personal and emotional stories to the debate.
Conservative former minister Sir James Cleverly said moments with his “dear friend” might have been “lost” if assisted dying was an option at the time of his death.
This came in response to an intervention from Dame Siobhain McDonagh, who spoke of her late sister Baroness Margret McDonagh.
The Labour MP spoke about taking her sister to hospital three weeks before her death with a blood infection, and being told she shouldn’t go into intensive care because she had a brain tumour and was going to die.
Lib Dem MP Josh Babarinde, a supporter of the Bill has read out a letter from a constituent describing the traumatic end of their partner.
The slow painful death could have been avoided, he said if there had been assisted dying legislation in place.
Prue Leith among campaigners 'quietly confident' bill will pass
11:41
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Athena Stavrou
Dame Prue Leith, who has spoken out frequently in favour of a change in the law, told campaigners that she was “quietly confident” about the outcome of the vote.
The cook and television presenter said supporters outside Parliament were “wonderful” and spoke of the “uphill battle” of the campaign.
She said: “This campaign has been going on for years and has been a hard, uphill battle.
“I find it so moving to see all the photographs of people you’ve lost or who are dying of cancer as we speak.
“It is utterly disgraceful that in a civilised world, we should be allowing this.
“It strikes me over and over again that I put down all my life my dogs, cats, my horse, all because I know they could not bear their lives any longer, but we aren’t allowed to as human beings – isn’t that ridiculous?
“Today, I hope we are going to win. I try to be quietly confident. But whether we win or lose, you have done a fantastic job, and I hope we’re not going to have to ask you to do it again.”
James Cleverly says hopes peers will improve assisted dying legislation ‘should set off alarm bells’
11:29
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
Former Tory cabinet minister James Cleverly has said he will not vote for the bill, warning it is not a good enough piece of legislation to pass.
He told other MPs that, like all of them, he wanted to back moves to “alleviate suffering.”
But he said that both proponents and opponents of the current bill hope that it will be improved as it makes its way through the House of Lords “and that should set off alarm bells”.
Diane Abbott makes the socialist case against assisted dying
11:27
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
The veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott has been a strong opponent from the outset of assisted dying.
She has argued that for the poorest the Bill leaves little choice but to accept assisted dying.
But interestingly she raises the problem of a privatised for profit service, which the Bill specifically allows.
She said: “This bill will allow private for profit contractors to run a service for profit.”
She noted that an amendment to address this issue was rejected.