UK MPs Set to Vote on Assisted Dying Bill

The UK is debating a new bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater that seeks to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live. The bill, which is set for its crucial second reading in Parliament, includes stringent safeguards, such as requiring two independent doctors to assess eligibility and a 14-day reflection period before lethal drugs can be prescribed. However, there is significant public concern about the potential pressure on vulnerable individuals, with a poll indicating that 56% of people support pausing the bill to investigate improvements in palliative care. Various MPs, including Labour's Preet Gill, have expressed their opposition based on ethical grounds and personal beliefs, while the cabinet remains divided on the issue. Proponents argue that the bill respects personal autonomy and provides necessary safeguards against coercion. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, with many MPs yet to declare their positions.