We're on the threshold of change over a right to die...but some of us are running out of time

The terminally ill campaigner, 84, has been given fresh hope of a "good death" after Labour MP Jake Richards vowed to introduce a law legalising assisted dying.

- Giles Sheldrick

It means the push to reform the law has traction in both the Commons and Lords.

Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer, said: "We are on the threshold. A moment I never thought I'd live long enough to see.

"It's an urgent matter of life and death, and some of us are running out of time. All we are asking for is the right to choose.

"It's our life, surely it's time now to give us the choice?" Family law barrister Mr Richards, who became MP for Rother Valley in July, won a Private Members' Bill ballot last week, giving him a chance to bring forward legislation.

The MP will now seek to finally legalise assisted dying currently punishable with a 14-year jail term - after realising it enjoys the overwhelming backing of the public.

He said: "I've made it clear that my first preference for a bill would be to reform our archaic assisted dying laws, working with [campaign group] Dignity in Dying and others. The time has come." Meanwhile, Lord Falconer, a barrister who served as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice under Tony Blair from 2003 to 2007, has already introduced a bill in the Upper Chamber.

This means there is a potentially effective pincer movement in Parliament. Dame Esther said: "What we terminally ill need is to be allowed the hope that if life becomes intolerable we can ask for help to leave it.