The MP for North East Herts, Chris Hinchliff, is set to vote in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill which is being debated in Parliament today.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was presented in October this year by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, with a second reading taking place in the House of Commons today. 

Following a debate, MPs are set to vote on whether they wish to progress the Bill to the next stage.

The broad aim of the Bill, known as the Assisted Dying Bill, is to allow adults aged 18 and over, who have mental capacity, are terminally ill and are in the final six months of their life, to request assistance from a doctor to end their life.

Currently, it is an offence in England and Wales for a person to intentionally encourage or assist the suicide (or attempted suicide) of another.

To become law, a private member’s bill must go through a number of stages, including second reading, committee stage, report and third reading in both the Commons and the Lords, followed by Royal Assent.

MP for North East Herts Chris Hinchliff took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain his decision to support the Bill.

He said: "I will vote to progress the Assisted Dying Bill in its second reading today to facilitate this really important debate.

"I have looked closely at the draft legislation and I do have some concerns. So I am continuing to consider my final position on the third reading, if we get to it."