Daily Express – Dame Ester: I never thought I’d be alive to see the law change … but perhaps I will
Dame Esther Rantzen hopes assisted dying will be legalised in her lifetime after an MP pledged to introduce a bill on the subject in the Commons, says the Daily Express.
Assisted dying vote ‘almost certain’ in breakthrough for Esther Rantzen’s campaign
Dame Esther Rantzen has been given hope that assisted dying will be legalised within her lifetime after an MP pledged to introduce a bill in the Commons. The breakthrough means that a free vote on the issue is now almost certain and could happen as soon as November.
Kim Leadbeater, Labour representative for Spen Valley, is taking up the cause after being drawn first in the Private Members’ Bill ballot – giving her the best possible chance of securing time for a thorough debate.
Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer, said: “This is such a crucial step forward. Kim is an extraordinarily brave and compassionate person, taking on this deeply sensitive issue.
“I never thought I’d be alive to see the law change, but perhaps I will. I can hardly believe it.
“Certainly if the debate and the free vote in the Commons actually changes the current cruel law, many many terminally ill patients and their families will be incredibly grateful to Kim, and all those who have made it possible.”
Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read
Editorial 04 October 2024.
Friday’s newspaper headlines reflect a wider variety of news than what we’ve seen during the week. The latest in the Middle East makes several front splashes but does not dominate the newspapers this morning.
A handful of papers report on Joe Biden’s comments on a potential Israeli retaliatory attack on oil – his comments have led to the price of oil rising to its highest in more than a month.
News that the UK is set to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has led the right-leaning newspapers into meltdown – despite the plans to hand back the island being drawn up under the Conservative government.