MPs back Leadbeater's bill to legalise assisted dying

Assisted dying is one step closer to becoming law after a historic vote in the House of Commons paved the way for one of the biggest changes to social policy since abortion was legalised in 1967. Following an emotional debate, MPs passed Kim

- DAVID MADDOX & KATE DEVLIN

Leadbeater's bill by 314 to 291 votes - a majority of just 23 - to legalise the procedure for people with terminal illnesses.

The legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales who have fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist.

Supporters of the assisted dying bill wept and hugged one another outside parliament as news broke that MPs had passed the legislation. The bill will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, where it is set to face more opposition.

The vote came after months of impassioned debate, culminating in a tense third reading debate yesterday. Ms Leadbeater described the passing of the bill at third reading as a "result that so many people need".

The Spen Valley MP added: "When you've spent as much time as I have with people who have got experience of losing loved ones in very difficult circumstances, and you've spent time with terminally ill people who are just asking for choice at the end of their days, then this is absolutely the right thing to do."

Among the MPs who backed the bill were Sir Keir Starmer and his predecessor Rishi Sunak. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, health secretary Wes Streeting and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, meanwhile, voted against.