MPs split as debate begins in Parliament

Today MPs will vote on proposed legislation to legalise assisted dying, when the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, a private members’ bill introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, is brought to the Commons for a second reading.

If the bill does not gain enough votes in Parliament today, that will be the end of the line for the legislation.

If the bill passes, that is far from the end of the parliamentary process and it may still never become law. The next stage will be the committee stage, at which the bill will be considered line by line by a smaller number of MPs.

There will also have to be a money resolution to authorise any spending generated by the bill.

It is possible that the Government will intervene to change some of the ordinary procedures relating to private members’ bills for the committee and subsequent stages.

For example, it may allow the Commons more time at the report stage, or allow the committee to hear evidence from witnesses, but there is no indication that the Government will follow this route.

Watch the debate and vote in real time here.