Why the landmark assisted dying vote is still so uncertain

The third reading and final Commons vote on Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday marks a truly historic moment for parliament.

The stakes are so high that entrepreneur Declan Ganley has offered a private ambulance to MP Sorcha Eastwood, who is ill with Covid, to get her to the Commons to vote against the Bill.

No wonder. It has been almost six decades since MPs have considered a Bill that would cause such a profound and fundamental change in the state’s relationship with individuals and society’s attitude to life and death.

In December Ms Leadbeater won a 55 majority on the second reading vote of her Bill, dealing with the principle rather than details, and is expected to carry a reduced majority today, although that is less certain than it was before.

If she is successful then the state, for the first time, will be licensed to end people’s lives if they wish it and if the circumstances allow. Doctors will be allowed to offer it as an alternative to people who have been given six months left to live.

The lack of certainty on the vote is partly fueled by the fact that a number of MPs who voted for the principle made it clear that they were allowing the debate to be had and would reserve judgment on the final vote.

The debate in fact has moved on from one of principle – which only a minority oppose – to one of practicalities. The questions faced by MPs include:

The reason that the vote has become tighter is because a growing number of MPs are concerned about the potential answers to those questions. The only issue will be whether that is enough to block the Bill.

Based on votes on the amendments as well as known supporters and opponents, the predictive voting model used by opponents of assisted dying gives Ms Leadbeater a majority of up to 15, ranging to a defeat of the Bill by a majority of five. Very close.

Key to the debate will not be the heartbreaking stories of people suffering in their final months, or celebrity voices like Esther Rantzen. They have already had their effect.

More important will be the big change to the Bill brought by Ms Leadbeater which means a judge in court will not have to sign off, as originally laid out in the second reading vote. Instead, there will be an expert panel led by a judge or KC but not with the same legal authority.

It is worth noting that the judicial safeguard was cited by more than 100 MPs in the first debate.

The other issue at play will be whether this Bill is a full stop to the issue or is something that will unleash a loosening up of the law over time.

The lesson from the then Liberal MP David Steel’s abortion legislation in 1967 will play a part in the decision-making of a number of MPs, who will be considering the so-called “slippery slope” issue of an apparently tightly worded piece of legislation expanding its reach over time.

Just this week we have seen MPs vote by a large majority to decriminalise abortion – effectively allowing it up to birth without criminal consequences from the 24 weeks (six months) already legislated for.

But more important will be the experience of other countries where assisted dying has been legalised.

Ms Leadbeater has been at pains that this is a specifically British Bill. However, in Canada, Oregon in the US, the Netherlands, and New South Wales in Australia the legislation has expanded beyond terminal illness to include mental health and other issues.

Ms Leadbeater in fact highlighted a case of a couple who decided to end their own lives in Australia after 70 years of marriage even though terminal illness was not a factor.

She will argue on Friday though that her Bill has been strengthened since November.

Opponents will point out that she has rejected safeguards on eating disorders, mental health, the requirement of people actually suffering pain and many other apparently reasonable checks to the process. Attempts to restrict assisted death advertising were brushed aside. An attempt to protect hospices from offering assisted dying were dismissed.

She had also opposed an amendment preventing doctors recommending assisted dying to children, the one defeat she has suffered so far.

Many have consistently argued that a private members bill is not sufficient to debate something that will have such a profound effect on the country. Indeed, 52 Labour MPs asked Keir Starmer, a supporter of assisted dying, to give more time for further scrutiny, an appeal he rejected.

The issue today will be whether all these questions and issues will mean there are enough MPs to have second thoughts from their vote in November to overturn a 55-majority.

If the Bill is defeated then it will not come back before the next election, if Ms Leadbeater wins then it will have cleared its most important hurdle and a battle in the Lords awaits where many of the issues will be debated again.

Angela Rayner praises ‘amazing’ Independent campaign as family fleeing abuse get safe haven

Angela Rayner has praised The Independent’s “amazing” Brick by Brick campaign after the first family fleeing domestic abuse moved into a home it built.

The deputy prime minister said she was heartened by the success of the campaign and urged backers to continue supporting it to go from strength to strength.

Construction on two purpose-built safe houses was completed earlier this year, and now a survivor of abuse has been handed the keys to their new home – and a fresh start.

The hugely successful campaign, launched in partnership with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge, was backed by readers, politicians, royalty and celebrities when it launched in September last year.

Speaking to The Independent on Thursday, Ms Rayner said: “Because the feelings of relief I read about from those first movers encapsulates what a house can mean to people – it’s not just a home but a sanctuary.

“Supporting vulnerable families and their children into safe and secure housing is a matter that I hold close to my heart. That’s why this government is injecting millions of pounds of funding so domestic abuse survivors can access lifesaving support when they need it the most.

“Just today I announced that we’re rewriting the rules to ensure domestic abuse survivors do not face unfair barriers when trying to access social housing when they have had to move to a new area.

“I will continue to work day and night to make sure more families can have a safe roof over their head and I am proud this campaign is leading by example.”

The first occupant, who must remain anonymous for safety reasons, said: “As soon as I walked in, it felt warm, safe and homely. It’s the first time I had slept properly in months.

“The children are the happiest they have been for a long time.”

The new semi-detached houses, built by Persimmon Homes, are in a secret location to protect survivors.

They have two double-sized bedrooms, open-plan kitchens and built-in cupboard storage space, as well as solar panels on the roof and a private drive with off-road parking.

The homes also include a number of safety features, including CCTV, a fireproof letterbox, and enhanced locking on windows and doors.

Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief of The Independent, said: “This is significant because it helps the most vulnerable people who are in danger of their lives being severely damaged by abuse.

“It’s permanent because we aim to build a house that will be there for generations as a sanctuary to safeguard these people who are on the run, from situations which are dangerous and life-threatening.”

After the 10,946 bricks were laid, an all-female team of decorators added the finishing touches to the property to make it a true home for those seeking refuge.

Every new family will receive a welcome pack with a variety of items such as essential toiletries. Children will also receive new toys and books to help them settle in.

To help the house feel more welcoming, the team used bright, airy colours to help “ignite that feeling of wellbeing, freedom and moving on”.

Refuge staff will provide emotional support and legal advice to the families, and will aid women with safety preparations, budgeting, debt planning, benefits applications and finding nurseries and schools.

As the house will see many survivors pass through it, Refuge will carry out maintenance and a deep clean between each family.

The Independent’s Brick by Brick campaign was launched in September 2024 in response to the UK’s domestic abuse crisis.

Thousands of women across the UK face danger in their own homes, but a woman is turned away from a refuge every two hours due to a lack of space.

The Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Olivia Colman, Victoria Derbyshire, Andi Oliver, David Morrissey and Sir Patrick Stewart were among those who backed the campaign.

The Independent heard testimony from a range of survivors, including women who were beaten and lost children, friends and jobs.

The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327

Woman, 66, arrested over death of director linked to missing Rolex

A 66-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the death of a film director police had linked to a missing Rolex watch.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday over the death of Jennifer Abbott, also known as Sarah Steinberg.

Ms Abbott, 69, was found wrapped in a blanket on her bed with tape over her mouth by her concerned niece at her north London home on 13 June.

She was last seen walking her pet corgi in Camden, north London, on 10 June, with a post-mortem examination giving her cause of death as sharp force trauma.

An ambulance crew was called to her home in Mornington Place, Camden, at around 6pm on 13 June and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her pet Corgi had been shut in the bathroom for three days but survived.

Photographs from her social media show her posing with a range of different celebrities, including socialite Paris Hilton and actress Kate Hudson.

Originally from Arizona, she had studied Arts and Sciences at Merton Technical College in southwest London before moving to Los Angeles to become a film producer.

Her LinkedIn states she was the chief executive of Atlantis Rising Productions, and has also authored several novels.

A woman living nearby described Ms Abbott as “a woman of taste”, while William Currie, 63, a hairdresser, said: “I just used to see her walking around with her little corgi.

“We just said hello, waved to each other and smiled. She used to walk the dog every couple of days. She kept herself to herself, she wasn’t too sociable but kind, polite and well-mannered. The dog was fat and chubby and barked a lot.”

Detective Inspector Barry Hart, of Homicide Command, Specialist Crime North, said: “Our deepest sympathies are with the victim’s loved ones who are being supported by specialist officers at this time.

“We thank the local community for their patience as we continue to investigate this shocking crime. This arrest marks a significant step forward.

“There are several lines of enquiry ongoing, and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of this incident. Locals can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while we conduct our enquires.”

UK records hottest day of the year – but temperatures to climb further

The UK has recorded the hottest day of the year so far – but temperatures are set to climb further.

The Met Office said a reading of 32.2C was clocked in Kew, west London, on Thursday afternoon.

The new high came less than an hour after a previous high recorded earlier on Thursday afternoon when temperatures in Wisley, Surrey, reached 30.8C.

Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud warned that the mercury could rise further to a possible peak of 34C in the coming days.

It comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber heat-health alert, warning that a rise in deaths is likely.

The warning is in place for all parts of England from 12pm Thursday to 9am Monday.

As the Met Office confirmed the news that Thursday marked the hottest day of the year so far, firefighters issued a warning over wildfires in London – after two blazes broke out on green spaces in the capital in the space of two hours.

Around 25 firefighters were called to New Road in Rainham just before 2pm on Wednesday, where around two acres of shrubland and trees were alight. Just over an hour later, fire crews were then mobilised to another fire nearby on Upminster Road North, in which around six hectares of grassland were damaged.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “With temperatures exceeding 30C and the driest spring in over a century, the risk of fires spreading rapidly is high.

“With so many of our open spaces close to homes and livelihoods, it is vital we all play our part to reduce the chance of grass fires breaking out in the first place and to protect our communities from incidents.”

Temperatures are expected to peak on Saturday after potentially reaching highs of 34C, with temperatures also set to be in the low 30s on Sunday, the Met Office said.

An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK.

In addition to health agencies, charities have also issued warnings, with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) encouraging people with heart conditions to take precautions to minimise potential health risks.

Age UK has also urged people to check in on older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see if they need anything and to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed by the excessive heat.

According to the Met Office, temperatures have hit 30C somewhere in the UK in eight of the last 10 years.

Describing extreme heat as a “growing killer”, Friends of the Earth campaigner, Denis Fernando, said: “Heatwaves already claim thousands of lives in the UK each year and wreak havoc on our services, infrastructure, farming and nature.”

“Yet the government’s climate adaptation plan is dangerously weak, with even its own advisers warning the UK isn’t prepared for what’s to come,” Mr Fernando added.

Rosie Jones’s laugh-out-loud sitcom Pushers is a madcap triumph

In Channel 4’s Pushers, thirtysomething Emily, who has cerebral palsy, has just suffered through the indignity of a benefits assessment. Every statement she makes is received with an impassive expression from her case worker, who’s not convinced that Emily’s “considerable pain” is actually “considerable” enough.

Afterwards, she bumps into an old classmate in the non-accessible loos (the disabled toilets are, inevitably, out of order), who regales her with an intriguing business proposition. If her benefit is about to be cut, then why doesn’t she make up the shortfall by helping him shift a massive consignment of cocaine? “The ideal drug mule is a good old girl with an obvious disability,” he says. Of course, the sensible answer would be “sorry, no, I never make narcotics-related business deals in public bathrooms”. But that would make for a very boring sitcom – and Pushers, which was co-created by comedian Rosie Jones, who also stars as Emily, is anything but.

After their accidental toilet rendezvous, Emily starts doing the odd job for her former school pal Ewan (Ryan McParland, who you might recognise from a brief but scene-stealing turn in Derry Girls as an Irish Traveller). And despite having possibly the most obtrusive manner of any drug dealer who’s ever tried out the profession, cheerily yelling her greetings to her clients and mixing up her drop-offs in the wrong wheelie bins, she gets the job done. Just.

As a disabled woman, Emily is overlooked to the point of invisibility. No one suspects she’s an aspiring Escobar, so the joke’s on them when she manages to subvert her perceived vulnerability to get the police to look the other way. Soon, she and Ewen are the ringleaders of a gang of co-conspirators, many of them also disabled, and they start to use the charity where Emily works to give the scheme a veneer of plausible deniability. Happily, her boss Jo is entirely oblivious to this; she’s far more concerned with her singular goal of ensuring that Soho Farmhouse has truly accessible bathrooms.

The fish-out-of-water sitcom is hardly a new concept; watching an unlikely bunch attempt to pull off something they’re arguably ill-equipped for is a failsafe of the genre. But Jones’s show, which was co-written with Peter Fellows, who’s previously worked on Armando Iannucci series such as Veep and Avenue 5, brings plenty of madcap energy to this trope. There’s a deft balance between silly, laugh-out-loud gags (“What kind of animal is an UHT?” Ewen ponders while contemplating a milk carton, only for Emily to inform him that he needn’t worry, as they’re extinct) and clever observational comedy that skewers attitudes to disability.

The cast of characters, too, is endearingly drawn, each with their own specific obsessions and foibles. Emily’s colleague Hope (Libby Mai) reckons she’s cut out for the drug lord life because she’s high up in the official The Bill fan club (later on in the series, there’s some great physical comedy from Mai when Hope appears to ascend to another spiritual plane entirely while dancing to an electro remix of that show’s theme tune). And McParland is brilliantly deadpan as Ewen, a misguided soul who essentially means well (even if he has a habit of referring to Emily’s disability as “cerebral paisley”) but keeps getting dragged off the straight and narrow.

As Emily starts to acquire a taste for power, the stakes inevitably get higher, but all the organised crime and close calls with rival dealers are zippily interwoven with bonkers interludes, like when the group attempts to convince a passer-by that they are in fact members of a local line-dancing troupe, rather than a wannabe OCG. The overall effect is a bit surreal in places, but always enjoyably so. For a first foray into sitcom writing for Jones, it’s remarkably assured. I’d happily spend plenty more seasons hanging out in the charity shop back room with this gang of improbable kingpins.

What’s the secret to a truly stress-free holiday?

High-end cruising has entered a new era. Today’s luxury travellers aren’t looking for big flashy experiences. They want slow-paced, intimate travel and authentic cultural immersion. More than anything else, they’re looking for ease: that feeling of being genuinely cared for, safe in the knowledge that they’re experiencing the best of the best.

That means excellent quality food and drink, of course – it’s got to be restaurant standard and cater to all tastes – but also onboard enrichment experiences of the highest calibre. The great beauty of cruising has always been that not a second is wasted. Savvy travellers get to explore a rich and rewarding variety of exotic, off-the-beaten track locations, but instead of spending half their holiday stuck in motorway traffic, they’re honing their swing in the golf net, or sipping on a cocktail on the upper deck as they travel from destination to destination.

When they’re onshore they want genuinely immersive experiences that get them under the hood of a destination: think cellar tours of local vineyards or speedboat cruises to hidden beaches. Done right, a high-end all-inclusive cruise is the ideal form of slow travel, offering a perfect balance of adventure and indulgence, proper pampering and a thrilling sense of discovery.

The world’s most luxurious fleet

First among equals when it comes to the new era of luxury cruising is Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which offers more than 170 different itineraries visiting over 550 ports of call worldwide. Each of the six ships in their fleet is opulently appointed with beautifully designed communal areas and a huge array of amenities, but none of them has a capacity of more than 746 guests, ensuring space and freedom for all aboard.

The all-suite accommodation means that the private spaces are similarly roomy, each having a private balcony and marble bathroom. And service is always impeccable with a crew-to-guest ratio that’s nearly one-to-one, meaning that the team can always go that mile extra for all travellers.

Across the ships, the food is uniformly excellent. As well as Regent’s signature Compass Rose restaurant, with its daily changing menu of bistro classics like lobster bisque and New Zealand lamb chops, the different ships also feature a range of speciality dining venues. These include Prime 7, a New York-style steakhouse, Pacific Rim with its pan-Asian menu (be sure to try the miso black cod), and fine-dining destination, Chartreuse, where the chefs turn out sophisticated plates of upscale French cooking like Beef Tenderloin Rossini and Seared Foie Gras.

With a number of long cruises on their roster, Regent has made sure that each of its ships is akin to an ultra-luxury, boutique floating hotel with an incredible variety of things to do during the day and top-level entertainment at night. There are courts for paddle tennis and bocce, and the onboard spa offers a range of exclusive bespoke treatments. The ships host talks by experts in their field and cooking lessons are also available on some of the ships at the culinary arts kitchens where visiting chefs guide guests in how to make wow-factor dishes that relate to the ports of call. In the evening, the Constellation Theatre hosts lavishly staged productions from a team of Broadway choreographers and artists.

Destinations that match the onboard luxury

Of course, none of this onboard luxury would mean much if the destinations weren’t up to scratch, but Regent’s superbly curated itineraries are up there with the very best. Its week-long trips include culture-packed European tours like Glories of Iberia which sails from Barcelona to Lisbon, and thrilling frontier explorations such as the Great Alaskan Adventure from Whittier to Vancouver.

Longer trips include four-week Legendary Journeys from Athens to Montreal, and fully immersive explorations of the Arctic. Long or short, these itineraries are all underpinned by a commitment to taking guests right to the heart of a destination with the kind of bespoke onshore activities and expert-led insights that mean on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyage, adventure is guaranteed.

Visit Regent Seven Seas Cruises now to uncover the true meaning of luxury and start booking your ultimate stress-free getaway

Moment of truth for the assisted dying bill: all you need to know

Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who came top in the private members’ bill ballot last year, and was therefore given a chance of getting her own law onto the statute book, is “confident” that her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will complete its Commons stages on Friday.

The bill has been through an arduous and often bad-tempered journey since MPs voted to give it the go-ahead in principle in November by 330 votes to 275, a majority of 55.

It was debated by a committee of MPs in 29 sittings between January and March. The committee considered 500 amendments and about one-third were agreed.

The bill came back to the Commons last Friday, when further amendments were debated. Tomorrow will be its last day in the Commons, when more amendments will be debated and a final vote held. If it passes, it will then go to the House of Lords.

The main change is that, instead of a court having to approve a request, supported by two doctors, for an assisted death, it will be decided by a panel consisting of a lawyer, a consultant psychiatrist and a social worker.

Other amendments include:

• requiring the doctors assessing assisted dying requests to have undertaken detailed training on domestic abuse, including coercive control and financial abuse;

• making independent advocates available for those who “may experience substantial difficulty in understanding the processes or information relevant” to the assisted dying process; and

• increasing the commencement period from two years to four years in England, meaning that the majority of the bill’s provisions must be implemented within four years of the bill becoming law.

Almost certainly. The majority of 55 in November was larger than expected, and although some MPs have changed their minds since then, it seems unlikely that there are 28 of them – the number required to change the outcome. Indeed, some of those changing their minds have gone from abstaining last time to supporting the bill, saying that they are now satisfied with the safeguards in the bill.

However, it is MPs switching from support or a neutral position to opposition who tend to attract the most attention. Four Labour MPs who supported the bill in November but who will vote against it tomorrow have written to their colleagues urging them to do the same. “This is not a normal bill,” they write. “It fundamentally alters the relationship between doctor and patient. It strips power away from parliament and concentrates it in the hands of future health secretaries.”

They conclude: “The bill before us simply does not do enough to safeguard people who may want to choose to live.”

The opposition from outside parliament has been forceful. Some MPs are particularly disconcerted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which continues to oppose the bill. Although it says it is not opposed to the principle of assisted dying, it is worried about the implications for mental health and says that there are not enough consultant psychiatrists to sit on the expert panels.

Even so, Leadbeater’s confidence appears to be justified.

Assisted dying is an issue of conscience, and so by convention, the government has allowed a free vote. The government does not have a view on the issue, and collective ministerial responsibility does not apply. That means that some ministers will vote in favour and some against.

Seven ministers who attend cabinet are opposed to the bill: Darren Jones, David Lammy, Shabana Mahmood, Bridget Phillipson, Angela Rayner, Jonathan Reynolds and Wes Streeting. Streeting has changed his mind: he said last year that the poor state of NHS palliative care meant that he could not support the bill.

All the rest support the bill, including the prime minister, who reaffirmed his support this week – apart from Ian Murray, the Scottish secretary, who will not vote on the grounds that the issue is devolved. The Scottish parliament voted for a similar bill at its first stage last month.

Keir Starmer must refuse to follow Donald Trump into war on Iran

Donald Trump appears to be enjoying keeping the world guessing as to whether he will intervene against Iran. A teasing comment that the US military “may or may not” join the Israeli strikes on suspected nuclear sites; a throwaway suggestion that the supreme leader is safe “…for now”; and now a declaration that he will make a decision on whether or not to “go” within “the next two weeks”.

And so it has fallen to Sir Keir Starmer to be the grown-up in the room.

The prime minister today made his government’s priorities clear, calling for a “return to diplomacy”, warning against actions that would “ramp up the situation”, “cooling tensions”. It is a level of seriousness that the situation in the Middle East deserves.

Sir Keir agrees that the Iranian nuclear issue has to be dealt with – “but it’s better dealt with by way of negotiations than by way of conflict”. It’s a soundbite that could suggest an intention to tell the US president, if he came asking for British participation in action in support of Israel, that Britain would invoke the precedent of Harold Wilson’s refusal to provide Lyndon Johnson with military assistance in Vietnam.

Iran’s nuclear ambitions are real enough. When he appeared in front of the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, Seyed Ali Mousavi, the Iranian ambassador to the United Kingdom, was unable to explain why his government should want weapons-grade enriched uranium, which is no use for civil nuclear power.

What is less clear is whether Iran is, or was, on the threshold of making a usable weapon. Despite speculation for decades that Iran is years, or months, away from making a nuclear bomb, it has never actually seemed imminent. Given the extent of Israeli intelligence penetration of the Iranian secret state, made evident by the assassination of several military leaders and nuclear scientists in recent days, we would have expected Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to have let the world know about it if there was evidence that Iran was about to acquire nuclear capability.

Even if the Israeli strikes had been justified, however, what is even less clear is whether military action is the best way to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons in future. This is the critical issue for the British government as world leaders consider the way forward.

Peter Ricketts, Britain’s former national security adviser, put it pithily on Wednesday, saying of Iran’s rulers that bombing raids would “reinforce their determination to keep working on a nuclear weapon when this round of fighting is over”. As he said: “Just coming back and bombing them every few years is not going to make the world safer.”

Now, Sir Keir should tell Donald Trump that he was right to pursue negotiations with the Iranian government – talks that were interrupted by the unilateral Israeli action. Mr Trump evidently thought that those negotiations were making progress towards the goal of verifiable restrictions on Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.

And it may be that Mr Trump’s bellicose language since then has been designed, however crudely, to push Iran’s leaders back to the negotiating table, now that they have seen what the alternative looks like.

The British government’s leverage is limited, but it does have some and it should deploy it. If the US wants to use the British Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands to launch attacks on Iran, it should be refused.

We will not labour the comparison with the US invasion of Iraq. The Independent led the campaign of opposition to Britain’s role in that disaster, but we failed to keep Britain out of it.

We may have been vindicated by events – but the important thing is to avoid making the mistake in the first place. We hope that Sir Keir, the Labour Party and the wider political establishment have learnt from history, and that they will refuse to follow another US president into another counterproductive and ill-judged conflict.