Esther's plea to MPs: Let terminally ill people like me face future with confidence and hope

CAMPAIGNING Dame Esther Rantzen urged MPs to allow terminally ill people like her to choose to end their lives, as they debate the assisted dying Bill today.

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

The veteran broadcaster, 84, right, who has stage four lung cancer, will watch from home as the landmark legislation undergoes more hours of Parliamentary scrutiny and votes on amendments.

In a message to MPs deciding if Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's Bill should continue on its journey to becoming law, she said: "Please remember, the vast majority of the public urgently need your vote.

"All we ask is that the law is reformed so that terminally ill patients like us are given the choice. Many could face the future with confidence and hope if they knew that if their lives became unbearable, they could ask for assistance to shorten their deaths.

"Please, please allow terminally ill patients the right to choose. And reform the current cruel, messy, criminal law so that terminally ill patients can choose to ask for the assistance they need to die a pain-free death in their own homes, surrounded by those they love the most."

Today's second lengthy report stage debate on amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill backed by the Express includes votes on possible changes.

The third reading vote, on whether the legislation proceeds to the House of Lords, is expected to take place next Friday.

More than a dozen MPs have indicated they plan to change the way they vote. More appear to have been swayed against the Bill than for. However, the result is too close to call.

Supporters are cautiously optimistic it will get majority backing.

Dame Esther knows that any change in the law would come too late for her. But she is campaigning selflessly on behalf of other terminally ill people who face an uncertain future.