UK lawmakers to vote again on failed assisted dying bill / Photo: Henry Nicholls - AFP
-
Turkish Energy Minister Highlights Qatar as Key Partner for Regional and Global Energy Security
-
Rene Eyre Revisits Autobiographical Performance 'Say A Little Prayer' in London
-
London Museum Granted 24/7 License Ahead of November Opening
-
UAE's HCT Holds Record Graduation and Announces Major Training Expansion
-
Dana White Confirms Flight to Washington for Trump Meeting on Press Secretary Role
-
NASA Awards $10B Lunar Contract Framework to SpaceX, Blue Origin
-
Dengue Fever Expands Into High Himalayas as Climate Change Warms Nepal
-
Katy Perry Tells Fans Ex-Husband Russell Brand 'Should Be in Jail' During UK Concert
-
IoT Refrigerator Hacks Disrupt Blood Labs and Supermarkets Across Europe and US
-
South African election results renew debate over identity-based voting
-
Post-election pressures complicate US and Israeli decisions on Iran
-
South African voters report smoother local election but declining IEC trust
-
UN members approve talks on treaty protocol against environmental crime
-
Dolly Parton museum and Nashville hotel open after singer’s death
-
Family-run West Sussex beach café prepares for first winter season
-
George and Amal Clooney attend New York political-comedy reading
-
CT scans reveal health and burial clues from Egypt’s Braided Lady mummy
-
British buyers pay substantial premiums for period-home appearance
-
Oxford faces complaints over lecturer’s classroom attire
-
Thomas Markle released to house arrest after child-abuse-image charge
-
Kyren Wilson and John Higgins reach International Championship snooker final
UK lawmakers to vote again on failed assisted dying bill
British MPs were on Friday set to vote again on an assisted dying bill as protesters both for and against the proposed legislation gathered outside parliament.
The legislation was passed in a landmark vote in the lower house of parliament last year before being struck down in the unelected upper house.
The controversial legislation to legalise assisted dying has had a long and emotional passage through through parliament, with lawmakers on both sides of the debate making impassioned speeches.
The bill would allow adults in England and Wales who have been given less than six months to live and can clearly express a wish to die to opt for euthanasia.
They would need the approval of two doctors and an expert panel to make the decision.
It passed in a historic vote in the House of Commons last June, but was scuppered by more than 1,200 amendments in the House of Lords, which was accused of obstructing and delaying the legislation.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was reintroduced by an MP from the ruling Labour party in the new parliamentary session.
If it passes at this stage, it will go forward for further debate, potential amendments and a final vote before going on to the Lords.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will sit out the vote so as to not "unduly influence the debate".
Since becoming prime minister in July, Burnham has relaunched his years-long push to improve social care for the elderly and vulnerable, and has supported prioritising palliative care.
Lauren Edwards, the MP who brought back the bill, urged lawmakers to pass it again and send it back to the House of Lords, "so that they can finish what they started".
T.Vitorino--PC
