A Tory MP has called for law changes on assisted dying to be included in party manifestos ahead of a general election this year.
Matt Warman said a debate on the issue in Parliament would be a “welcome step forward” after an Express petition surpassed 100,000 signatures.
He said: “It’s a welcome step forward that parliament will now probably debate assisted dying again.
“But this latest debate won’t change the law – MPs who are prepared to commit to making that happen must band together, across parties, and pursue legislation at the earliest opportunity.
“And there should be manifesto commitments to give that project government time if parliament supports it.”
Fellow Tory MP Alicia Kearns heaped praise on the Express for leading on the petition and campaign which has amassed huge support among politicians and the public.
Dame Esther Rantzen’s, who has stage 4 lung cancer, is campaigning with this newspaper for rights that would allow the terminally ill and seriously sick to choose how and when to die under our Give Us Our Last Rights crusade.
Ms Kearns said: “Assisted dying is at its core not about the ending of life, rather the shortening of death and suffering.
“I have long called for a free vote on assisted dying, to give us all the dignity we deserve, well done to the Express on leading this important petition and campaign.
“My constituent Phil Newby, who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease, took his case to the High Court to request the right to an assisted death. The High Court ruled it a matter for Parliament to change the law, therefore we must act.
“It is wrong that people like Phil Newby continue to be denied the right to end their suffering. There has been a fundamental shift in the national discourse surrounding assisted dying and it is clear the time has come for a free vote in Parliament.”
Using the official parliamentary petitions website, anyone can launch a campaign that at 10,000 signatures will force an official response from the Government.
At 100,000 signatures it allows for a debate by MPs, but may not be debated if it has been discussed recently or a debate has already been scheduled for the near future.
Over 112,000 people have now backed the Express’ petition, with Dame Esther telling readers: “Your response to the petition on assisted dying is moving and inspirational”.
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “The thousands of signatures flooding into the petition are proof that support for the legalisation of assisted dying is stronger than ever. People demand change”.
