PLEASE ALLOW US 'DIGNITY OF CHOICE IN OUR LIVES'

ESTHER Rantzen and the Express today call on MPs to vote with their heads and hearts so terminally ill people "can look forward with confidence to a good death".

- Hanna Geissler

In a final appeal for compassion, she says our elected representatives should give people "the dignity of choice over their own lives" as they prepare to decide whether assisted dying should be legalised or not.

Dame Esther, 84, spells out in an emotional letter in the Daily Express today how the country's MPs have "a rare opportunity to make a life and death decision".

And the lifelong campaigner urges them to give hope "not only to your constituents but to future generations". She said: "Every single vote is crucial, so please attend this debate, listen to the evidence and reflect upon your own experience and what your constituents have told you." National treasure Esther has been backed every step of the way by her daughter Rebecca Wilcox, campaign group Dignity in Dying and MP Kim Leadbeater, who put forward the proposed legislation.

Independent polls have repeatedly shown the public overwhelmingly supports a careful change in the law for terminally ill people who are nearing the end of life.

For almost three years, our Give Us Our Last Rights crusade has shone a light on the harrowing stories of those who have experienced agonising deaths, taken their own lives or travelled to Dignitas in shame and secrecy. Dame Esther said: "If you decide to vote to change our current cruel messy criminal law, in future the choice of a good, merciful death will not be restricted to those who can afford to fly to Switzerland. Terminally ill people will be able to look forward with confidence to a good death, in their own homes, surrounded by those they love."

The Childline founder reignited a national debate about assisted dying after revealing her stage four lung cancer diagnosis last year.

People whose conditions mean they face difficult deaths currently only have a choice between "suffering, suicide or Switzerland", Dame Esther said.