A form of legalised assisted dying, one of the most contentious and fiercely debated issues of modern times, could become law as soon as next year. Intense lobbying among MPs on both sides of the argument is already under way, with advocates like Labour backbencher, Kim Leadbeater, who has introduced the new assisted dying bill, confident that “public mood has shifted” since the issue was last considered by MPs. In the 2015 vote, a change in the law was defeated by 330 votes to 118. This time, in a free vote, many MPs remain undecided. But Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who has previously indicated his support for assisted dying – has promised to give the bill parliamentary time to become law if the Commons vote in favour. The bill will limit the option to die with assistance to people with a diagnosis of a terminal illness, excluding those in “unbearable suffering” for other reasons. It is likely to be limited to those with six to twelve months to live, with a judge and two doctors having to agree that patients can be helped to end their lives. In an interview with The Times, Leadbeater said, “I am very clear the law needs to change, having met those families who have horrendous stories of suicide of loved ones, horrible painful deaths or going to other countries [to end their lives]. People deserve a choice and they’ve not got that.” But confirming that the change would be limited to the terminally ill, she added, “I appreciate some people want it to go further, but we need real clarity about this.” The fight to introduce legal assisted dying in the UK has been backed in a campaign by broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who has revealed she has lung cancer and has joined the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Switzerland. But the other side of the debate also has high-profile support. Actor and campaigner Liz Carr, who protested against assisted dying at the last vote, has urged MPs not to be “swayed simply by words like compassion, dignity and choice”.