London Mayor Sadiq Khan reveals what his vote on assisted dying Bill would be

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said concerns about a lack of palliative care and the state of the NHS and social care are among the reasons he would oppose assisted dying legislation.

The Labour politician, who is not an MP and so does not have a say in the House of Commons on Friday, said he would vote against his party colleague Kim Leadbeater’s Bill.

He said fears around coercion and a feeling of guilt among the terminally ill would also form part of his reasoning for not backing the proposals.

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Mr Khan told the Standard: “I think the Assisted Dying Bill is an incredibly complicated issue. It’s a complex issue.

“I’ve heard the debate, I’ve read many pieces. I understand there are strong views on either side. I also understand there are many people who are undecided. I think it’s really important to respect the views of people on other sides of the debate.

“If I was a Member of Parliament, I’d be voting against the Assisted Dying Bill. That’s not to say that those who feel strongly in favour of it are wrong.

“I think it’s right that the Government has made this a free vote so MPs aren’t being whipped. I think it’s right that it’s a matter of . conscience But I’ve got real concerns in relation to the lack of palliative care available to those who are terminally unwell. I’ve got concerns about the state of the NHS.

“I’ve got concerns about the state of social care provision. I am concerned not just about coercive control, I am concerned about some of the guilt those who are terminally ill may well have. For those reasons, if I had a vote, I’d be voting against.”

MPs in the Commons are expected to debate and vote on assisted dying proposals on Friday for the first time in almost a decade.

Members will be given a free vote on the issue, allowing them to make a decision according to their own conscience rather than in line with party policy.

Supporters of the Bill are optimistic that it has enough backing for the legislation to pass the first Commons hurdle, but the result will not be known until a division list is published after the vote, showing which way MPs voted.

Proponents say existing legislation fails to respect patient autonomy and discriminates financially between those who can afford to travel abroad to end their lives within the law and those who cannot.

Many of those opposed to a law change have voiced concern about the potential for coercion and mission creep, and say the legislation has been rushed.