THE Labour MP for Clwyd East, Becky Gittins, has explained why she voted in support of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales today (November 29).

MPs voted 330 in favour, to 275 against, during the second reading of the bill in Parliament today – this does not mean the bill has become law, but it allows it to continue for further parliamentary scrutiny.

Labour’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) bill would make assisted dying legal for terminally ill adults who are expected to die within six months and have the mental capacity to make a choice about how they end their life.

The bill also requires that two independent doctors and a High Court judge are satisfied that the individual making the request is older than 18, terminally ill with six months or less to live, and fully mentally competent.

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Voting took place at about 2.30pm today following roughly five hours’ debate in Parliament.

Mrs Gittins said she voted for the bill “after much deliberation”, and thanked those who shared their views with her prior to today.

But she said she remains “open-minded” as to how she will vote at a third reading.

She said: “In principle, I am in favour of giving terminally ill people the choice to end their lives in a humane way and at a time of their choosing.

“Nonetheless, I wanted reassurance that the bill included strong safeguards to prevent the coercion of vulnerable people, and that the bill’s scope was sufficiently limited so it did not entrench existing disparities for disabled people present in our health system and wider society.

“Having had time to read the bill, I am satisfied to vote for it at this stage, with its scope clearly limited to terminally ill people with fewer than six months to live.

“I am aware that many individuals and charities remain concerned about the bill’s implications, and I, too, am keen for further clarity about the full implications for our NHS and judicial system.

“In my view, the best way to maximise scrutiny and strengthen safeguards is to vote for the bill at second reading, so it can go to committee stage and benefit from reasoned amendments and impact assessments.”

Mrs Gittins added that she will “continue to listen and engage to all viewpoints on this bill when seeking to reach a final position at third reading”.