MPs in Ealing have been divided today (29 November 2024) on a proposed law to make it legal for assisted dying in England and Wales.
The vote in Parliament saw 330 MPs vote in favour of the bill and 275 against. As a result of the bill passing the first stage in the Commons today, it will see it further discussed before it becomes law.
Two of the three Labour MPs in the borough voted for the change in the law while one voted against.
Ealing Central and Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq voted against the change while Ealing Southall MP Deirdre Costigan and Ealing North MP James Murray voted for the change.
Under the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, those over the age of 18 in England and Wales who have six months or less to live, full mental capacity and the consent of two medical professionals would given the right to end their lives.
Ealing Central and Acton MP, Dr Rupa Huq previously revealed she would be voting against it. In a posting on X, the Labour MP said: “Though well-intentioned, I have significant concerns about the #AssistedDying bill before Parliament: insufficient safeguards plus an NHS and judicial system under strain. Having been informed by medical & legal opinion and weighty correspondence I will be voting against on Friday.”
Dr Huq said that as of 6pm on Thursday (28 November 2024), of correspondence received 155 said they were for it and 162 were against.
In a two page letter to her constituents, Ms Costigan previously said she will be voting for the bill: “Choice, agency and control are crucial to dignity at the end of life. Subject to the safeguards laid out in the Bill, I want those who are suffering the pain and emotional turmoil of a terminal illness to have the freedom to choose how and when their lives will end. This will be a choice available to people, not one forced upon them.
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