STORY
Labour MP Lauren Edwards is to reintroduce an assisted dying bill to the House of Commons after securing a high place in the private members’ bill ballot. The proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults to seek assistance to end their lives, subject to safeguards and approval processes.
A previous version of assisted dying legislation passed the Commons but was blocked in the House of Lords after extensive opposition and amendments. Supporters of the bill have argued that the elected House had expressed a clear view and that Parliament should be given another opportunity to consider the issue.
Opponents of assisted dying have continued to warn about the risks to vulnerable people and the adequacy of proposed safeguards. The return of the bill is likely to renew a major parliamentary debate on end-of-life law, medical ethics and the respective roles of the Commons and the Lords.