MPs are debating the assisted dying bill in the House of Commons, before a free vote takes place on the legislation.
The proposed law would make it legal for over-18s who are terminally ill to be given medical assistance to end their own life in England and Wales. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill sets out detailed requirements in order to be eligible.
It is the first time in almost a decade that MPs have considered the issue after it was voted down in 2015.
Five hours have been set aside for MPs to air their views.
POLITICS LATEST:
10.41 am —
On a point of order, Labour MP objects to Danny Kruger's 'offensive' use of the word 'suicide'Kruger: "The value of actually have a bill in black and white is that we do need to see what the law really is: what this bill would do, it would amend the Suicide Act of 1961."
— Josh Self (@josh-self.bsky.social) 2024-11-29T10:38:40.772Z
10.30 am — Danny Kruger leads opposition to bill
The Conservative MP says: “This bill is too comprehensive and there is too much in it to address in the process of a private members’ bill.”
Kruger adds that “the definition of terminal illness is, in essence, the essential flaw in this bill”.
10.23 am — Kim Leadbeater’s peroration:
Kim Leadbeater's peroration: "This will be a thorough process, focussed on one of the most significant issues of our time. An issue that people across the country clearly want us to address – none more so than the many families who are facing the brutal and cruel reality of the status quo."
— Josh Self (@josh-self.bsky.social) 2024-11-29T10:19:50.835Z
09.52 am — Kim Leadbeater responds to concerns about ‘coercion’ after MP interventions
The Labour MP says that coercion can actually work the other way, with people feeling pressured into prolonging their suffering.
She added: “Assisted dying is not a substitute for palliative care. It is not an either or.”
09.50 am —
Kim Leadbeater on her assisted dying bill: "This debate is long overdue"
— Josh Self (@josh-self.bsky.social) 2024-11-29T09:51:06.435Z
09.46 am — Kim Leadbeater says majority of the public want to legalise assisted dying
The Labour MP told commons: “It is clear that public opinion is very much in favour of a change in the law.”
She added: “It may not be that surprising that 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.
“Let’s be clear, we are not talking about a choice between life or death, we are talking about giving dying people a choice of how to die.”
09.40 am — Kim Leadbeater begins speech
The Labour MP says she believes the move to legalise assisted dying is “long overdue”, arguing the current law is “failing people” and must be changed.
09.33 am — The assisted dying debate begins
NEW: Assisted dying debate is underway in the House of Commons as speaker addresses MPs: "This is a time for the House to show itself at its best"My live blog will have all the latest: www.politics.co.uk/news/politic…
— Josh Self (@josh-self.bsky.social) 2024-11-29T09:37:44.664Z
09.30 am — Where do Labour cabinet ministers stand on assisted dying bill?
Where do Labour cabinet ministers stand on assisted dying bill?
09.25 am — Kim Leadbeater issues statement
In a statement overnight, the MP behind the bill, Kim Leadbeater, said she believes people will “look back” on this moment as “one of the great reforming parliaments of our generation”.
She said: “We’re modernising our public services, rebuilding our economy and strengthening the fabric of our society.
“And I hope this parliament will also be remembered for this major social reform that gives people autonomy over the end of their lives and puts right an injustice that has been left on the statute books for far too long.
“People will be looking in on parliament as it debates this important change to the law – a change that, when we most need it, could bring comfort to any one of us or to somebody we love.
“I hope parliament will show itself at its best and most compassionate and that MPs will show themselves, as they have in the past when major social reforms have come before them, ready to correct injustice and reduce human suffering.”
09.20 am — Good morning and welcome to “Politics Live”, Politics.co.uk‘s rolling coverage of the day’s key moments in Westminster.
Here’s what’s happening today:
- MPs will debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Stay with us and we’ll bring you all the latest developments as they unfold.
The post MPs debate historic assisted dying legislation — politics live appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
