The Assisted Dying Bill, first proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, is being voted on today in the House of Commons. With many MPs being undecided on which way to vote, it is expected to be a tight decision.
MP Kim Leadbeater became the MP for Spen Valley in 2021. She is the younger sister of Jo Cox, former Batley and Spen MP, who was murdered in 2016.
The bill allows people to make the decision to medically end their lives if they are terminally ill and over the age of 18. Candidates for assisted dying must also have been registered with a GP for at least one year, have the mental capacity to make the choice, and be excepted to die within six months.
It would excludes people with disabilities and mental illnesses.
The patient must have two separate witnessed declarations and two independent doctors to sign off on it. Then the application would have to go to a high court judge, who will ask to hear from at least one of the doctors and will make the decision.
If then approved, the individual must self-administer the medication needed to end their life. It has also been made clear that they can change their mind at any stage.
Assisted dying legislation already exists across the world, in countries including Switzerland and Spain.
In England and Wales, the bill is being voted on today in the House of Commons. MPs have been given a free vote on the issue, meaning they can vote how they wish without influence from their party.
Some MPs have publicly stated how they are going to vote ahead of today.
Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central has said on social media that she will not be supporting the bill and will vote against in today.
She said: “I am concerned that some of the most vulnerable people in society, low-income or disabled people would feel like a burden to others, and it would encourage them to give up.”
It has also been publicly opposed by the Secretary for State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting.
However, Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East has stated that he will be voting in favour of the legislation as he believes we need to respect the wishes of those suffering from terminal illnesses to decide how they die.
It is expected to be a tight vote, with a lot of MPs still undecided as of this morning.
There will be live updates to follow.
