The MP for Crewe and Nantwich has revealed that he will be voting for the assisted dying bill, ahead of second reading set to take place today (Friday 29 November).

Connor Naismith has confirmed he will be voting for the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults, who meet the eligibility criteria in England and Wales. 

The bill, which was first introduced in the House of Commons on October 16, will be debated and voted on by MPs at the second reading.

Naismith said: "I have decided I will be voting for the bill. 

The bill, which was first introduced in the House of Commons on October 16, will be debated and voted on by MPs at the second reading on Friday 29 November (Wiki Commons).

"I feel that this measured reform will provide much needed dignity, choice and control at the end of life. 

"I believe strongly that these things should not be reserved for those who can afford to take that choice overseas but should be the universal right of those who are suffering at the end of their lives." 

Naismith acknowledged concerns about the appropriate safeguards, however, he was confident the proposed bill strikes the right balance between addressing freedom to choose at the end of life and protection against risks. 

What is the criteria? 

To be eligible to request assisted dying a person must meet the following criteria: 

• Be over 18 and be a resident in England and Wales
• They must have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months 
• They must have the mental capacity to make the choice, which must have been made free from coercion or pressure 
• They must be expected to die within six months
• They must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed putting forward their wish to die
• Two independent doctors must be satisfied the person is eligible and there must be a seven-day period of reflection after the doctors have made their statement
• The person must make the decision to self-administer the medicine

If someone is found guilty of pressuring, coercing or using dishonestly to obtain a declaration from someone that they wish to end their life or induce someone to self-administer an approved substance – they could face a jail sentence of up to 14 years. 

What do the groups against the bill have to say? 

Connor Naismith has launched his new Labour constituency office at 249 Edleston Road in Crewe (Connor Naismith).

Not Dead Yet UK (NDYUK) spokesperson, Mike Higgins, put forward concerns regarding the safeguarding of disabled people in relation to the proposed legislation. 

He said: "NYD is very concerned about the risk posed by the bill, especially to those who face a broad combination of barriers to our continued existence. 

"It puts disabled people at risk of being pressured to end their lives." 

Higgins described the proposed bill's criteria as 'dangerously vague.' 

He said: "It allows assisted suicide for people deemed 'terminally ill,' but offers no strict definition for what this means. 

"Without clear rules, people with treatable or manageable conditions could all too easily be pushed toward assisted suicide. 

"This is the opposite of protection – it's a fast track to tragic mistakes." 

What do groups for the bill have to say? 

My Death, My Decision chair, Trevor Moore, referenced the public support for the bill and how the proposed legislation offers an opportunity to limit needless suffering. 

He said: "Given that public opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of assisted dying, it seems entirely right for MP's reflect their constituent's views on this long overdue social reform." 

"Giving people control over the end of their life is empowering, and we know from the many jurisdictions that allow assisted dying that, once approved, many don't follow through, because knowing the choice is up to them bolsters their ability to endure their challenges circumstances.

"We can't let hypothetical unproven fears outweigh the here-and-now immense suffering of people who want the choice."

The government has made clear, as this is a matter of ethics, it will not take a collective position on the matter, therefore, enabling MPs to vote on the matter however they wish. 

If the bill gains sufficient support and passes the second reading it will move to the next stage, a committee review where specific clauses of the bill will be examined, before a final vote. 

READ MORE: Cheshire East confirms black bins will be collected every three weeks from 2026.

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