MPs have voted in favour for assisted dying legislation in England and Wales as a historic private members’ bill cleared its first hurdle in the Commons today after an emotional five-hour debate.
Opponents to Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was likened to ‘crossing the Rubicon’ in Parliament as dozens of members across all sides spoke for and against the legislation which would allow terminally ill adults the right to choose when they die for the first time.
Some appeared close to tears as they recalled heartbreaking cases involving their constituents or even relatives but at the end of the debate MPs voted 330 to 275, majority 55, to approve it at second reading.
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