Some thoughts on the "Assisted Dying" Bill
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater I am not entirely sure how I would have voted on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday if I had been an MP. For many years I have expressed views supporting a change in the law. Bodily autonomy is a fundamentally liberal principle. The right to die with dignity is something I have long championed. And yet, I am not satisfied that this Bill represents the right way forward. I am not sure that I could have supported it, even at its second reading, because it is so deeply flawed. If I was put in the position MPs were on Friday I may well have reluctantly voted for - but only to allow for further discussion, scrutiny and improvement. It's also possible that I may have abstained, because I agree with the fundamental principle but feel the Bill simply isn't good enough. The bill passed its latest hurdle by a margin of 330-275, but there is a long way to go before it becomes law. As Labour MP Andy Slaughter said in the aftermath of the vote,...
