MPs have backed proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales in a historic vote which paves the way for a change in the law.
In the first Commons vote on the issue in nearly a decade, MPs supported a bill which would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their own life by 330 to 275, a majority of 55.
It followed an emotional debate in the chamber, where MPs from both sides shared personal stories which had informed their decisions.
The bill will now face many more months of debate and scrutiny by MPs and peers, who could choose to amend it, with the approval of both Houses of Parliament required before it becomes law.
Supporters gathered outside Parliament wept and hugged each other as the result was announced.
Campaign group Dignity in Dying said the vote was a “historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying people”.
Dame Esther Rantzen, one of the most high-profile campaigners for assisted dying, said she was “absolutely thrilled”.
The broadcaster, who has terminal lung cancer, said any change in the law would probably come too late to affect her personally.
But she said “future generations will be spared the ordeals we have to suffer at the moment” if the bill becomes law.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who put forward the bill, told the BBC she was “a bit overwhelmed” following the vote and it meant “a huge amount” to be able to tell campaigners the bill had passed its first parliamentary hurdle.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Joseph Curl
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://www.offthepress.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
