David Cameron U-turns to become first ex-PM to BACK assisted dying

David Cameron has become the first former UK prime minister to give his backing to moves to legalise assisted dying for terminally-ill adults ahead of an emotionally charged vote tomorrow. 

The Conservative former PM, who was ennobled as Lord Cameron by Rishi Sunak and served as his foreign secretary, had previously opposed moves to change the law.

But in an article for the Times newspaper, he said he had been won over to supporting in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, set to be debated by MPs on Friday.

Former prime ministers Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Baroness Theresa May and Gordon Brown have all said they are opposed to the Bill.

None of them will have a vote on Friday, but Baroness May and Lord Cameron would if the Bill reached the Lords.

It came as Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill and has led the campaign in favour of assisted dying, issued a final plea to MPs ahead of what is expected to be a close vote.

The issue is seen as a conscience vote, so there is no party whip, and all the main parties are divided over the issue, as is Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet.

Dame Esther has written to MPs urging them all to take part and vote on what was literally a 'vital life-and-death issue' and one 'we the public care desperately about'.

She added: 'So it is only right that as many MPs as possible listen to the arguments for and against, and make up your own minds, according to your own conscience, your personal thoughts and feelings.'

The letter comes ahead of MPs taking part in what could be a five-hour debate on Kim Leadbeater's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday. 

It will be the first time the Commons has debated and voted on assisted dying in almost a decade. 

Ms Leadbeater has argued her proposed legislation, requiring sign-off by two doctors and a High Court judge, is robust and potentially offers the 'strictest protections' against coercion anywhere in the world. 

Opposition includes from religious MPs, while others are concerned that the safeguards are not strong enough. 

Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson warned disabled people are 'really worried' about a Bill she described as 'very loose' in terms of safeguards. 

Writing for the Times, Lord Cameron said he would vote in favour of the law if it passes on Friday and continues to the Lords.

'As campaigners have convincingly argued, this proposal is not about ending life, it is about shortening death,' he said.

'Many of these safeguards will be familiar from previous proposals. But this new Bill protects the vulnerable still further, including by making coercion a criminal offence.'

In changing his mind, Lord Cameron said he had considered whether there were sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable people, and said he believed there were.

He also suggested he did not agree with arguments the Bill could be a 'slippery slope' to further reforms.

A tally by PA, as of Wednesday evening, indicated around 80 MPs so far intend to support the Bill, with just over 70 opposing it.

Of the 650 MPs in the Commons, most have yet to reveal publicly how they will vote, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He previously supported a change in the law in 2015 when the last assisted dying Bill in the Commons was rejected.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is among those who have stated they remain undecided as they study the Bill's contents.

The Cabinet is split on the issue, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood intending to vote no, while Energy Secretary and former Labour leader Ed Miliband is supporting the Bill alongside Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.

Ms Mahmood shared her belief the law change could lead to 'death on demand' when she made clear her opposition.

But Lord Cameron said that 'Thin end of the wedge' arguments can be used against almost every proposal for social change'.

He added: 'I would urge MPs to engage with the substance of the proposal in front of them.

'I believe that there are strong arguments for suggesting that it is a sensible and practical resting place for public policy in this area.'

The Tory peer also said he did not find arguments the Bill would put unnecessary pressure on the NHS convincing.

He said his final consideration had been whether the law change would 'lead to a meaningful reduction in human suffering'.

'I find it very hard to argue that the answer to this question is anything other than 'yes',' he said.

Lord Cameron and his predecessor Mr Brown both lost children at a young age, but have come to very different conclusions about the Bill.

During his time as opposition leader in 2009, Lord Cameron's son Ivan died aged six, after suffering from a form of epilepsy.

Mr Brown – then the prime minister – cancelled their weekly exchange at the despatch box out of respect.

Writing in the Guardian last week, the former Labour prime minister shared how the death of his daughter Jennifer at 11 days old had informed his opposition to the Bill.

Mr Brown described that period as 'among the most precious days' of his and his wife Sarah's lives.

He said he believed better palliative care, rather than assisted dying, was needed for improved end-of-life support.