British lawmakers are set to cast a crucial vote on assisted dying legislation today, following a five-hour debate that could legalise the practice for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live.
The private member’s bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, will be debated in the House of Commons from 9.30am, with voting expected around 2.30pm.
More than 160 MPs have registered to speak on the proposed legislation.
The bill would allow assisted dying for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live, provided they have mental capacity and express a clear, settled and informed wish to end their life.
The decision would require approval from two doctors and a high court judge.
Campaign organisers on both sides say the vote appears too close to call.
This marks the first Commons vote on assisted dying in nearly a decade, following its rejection in 2015. A similar bill reached second reading in the House of Lords in 2022.
Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has maintained neutrality on the issue, will participate in the free vote, with campaigners confident of his support.
Senior Labour figures Liz Kendall and Ed Miliband are expected to back the bill, whilst Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood have indicated their opposition.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Leadbeater compared the issue to the women’s rights movement for abortion access, arguing for similar bodily autonomy rights for the terminally ill.
“I think we will look back in 10 years’ time and think, ‘why didn’t this happen sooner?'” she told the Guardian.
The bill allows two years for implementation, with Leadbeater promising detailed work by civil servants and ministers on its potential impact.
Government sources indicate a minister will join the bill committee, though it will remain a private member’s bill rather than government legislation.
At least 100 MPs remain undecided, with some expected to abstain or decide during the debate. Critics have raised concerns about the limited debate time allocated under private member’s bill procedures.
Both terminally ill patients supporting the change and disability activists opposing it are planning to hold counter rallies around the vote.
Read more:
