This afternoon, the assisted dying bill has passed with a majority of 23 votes, with 314 in favour and 291 against. The last few months have seen both heartfelt debate and outbursts of anger expressed from politicians across the Chamber as Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s controversial private members bill made its passage through the Commons.
While the bill has passed today, it hasn’t been plain sailing. A number of legal and medical professionals have been vocal in expressing their concerns about the proposed legislation, while so many amendments were tabled by politicians that not all of them were able to be heard. Leadbeater has been criticised for flip-flopping on how cases would proceed – initially she wanted a high court judge sign-off, but now the bill explains an ‘expert panel’ will approve cases – while palliative care professionals hit out at the bill’s sponsor over ramping up her ‘fear’ rhetoric around death.
Despite all that, the bill has completed its passage through the Commons. Now it’ll be down to the House of Lords to decide whether to kill the bill – or let it receive royal assent and become law. In the meantime, use the table below to find out how your MP voted…
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