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Friday’s second reading debate will allow MPs to consider the main principles of the bill and they must start voting before 14:30 BST.<\/p>\n
If they vote in favour it will have cleared its first major hurdle and the next stage will allow MPs to consider possible amendments at committee stage. <\/p>\n
However, their support could be conditional – just because an MP votes in favour of the bill at this stage in the proceedings, it does not mean they will do so at the third reading. <\/p>\n
If MPs vote against the bill on Friday, it will fall. Supporters of assisted dying have said they would make another attempt to pass legislation as soon as was possible.<\/p>\n
Both sides expect the result to be close and it could depend on how many MPs turn up for the sitting on Friday, a day when they would usually expect to be in their constituencies.<\/p>\n
During the last parliamentary session, the bill was brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and cleared the House of Commons on 20 June 2025 with a majority of 23. <\/p>\n
Support for the bill fell between the second and third readings, before it stalled in the House of Lords. <\/p>\n
Backers of the bill accused some peers of using delaying tactics to block the proposal, while critics argued it was not fit for purpose due to a lack of safeguards.<\/p>\n
Opponents believe support for the bill in the Commons has weakened since the last attempt to pass it failed.<\/p>\n
Edwards said she wanted to bring forward a bill that was identical to the one approved by the Commons last year. Under the terms of the Parliament Acts, if an identical bill passes the Commons in two successive parliamentary sessions then the Lords cannot halt its progress a second time.<\/p>\n
Peers can still suggest amendments which, if agreed by the Commons, would be added to the bill.<\/p>\n
Labour MPs Gareth Snell, who backed the bill last time, and Dame Meg Hillier, a prominent opponent of assisted dying, have co-signed a letter to colleagues voicing their concerns over the risks of the possible use of the Parliament Acts.<\/p>\n
They warned MPs were “potentially being presented with a ‘this or nothing’ ultimatum on Friday”.<\/p>\n
Edwards has argued she does not want to use the Parliament Acts but MPs passing an identical bill would force peers to scrutinise the legislation without being able to halt its progress.<\/p>\n
Opponents have warned that using this procedure would risk creating a law which disability charities, hospices and others have raised major concerns over.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will not vote on the bill on Friday, describing it as “a matter for Parliament to decide” and stressing that the government would officially remain neutral.<\/p>\n
He has previously said he personally believes that funding for end-of-life care in the UK should be improved before legalising assisted dying is considered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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