Our elected representatives were considered in their debate of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. It really was the House of Commons at its best, albeit within the limitations of what can be expected of professional politicians.

MPs on all sides laid out their arguments with sophistication and consideration. All gave full weight to the views of their constituents and their own life experiences.

Trouble is that between them they could not and did not come up with an answer or agreement.

The 330 to 275 vote in favour will not end the talking but it will effectively end the debate on assisted dying in England and Wales – with Scotland to follow. The bill will have to go through its remaining stages in the Commons and the Lords but medically-assisted, state-sanctioned death for the terminally ill could start here in the next few years.

Nine years on from when MPs last rejected legalising assisted dying the wind was clearly behind endorsing it this time round. Public opinion is in support and versions of assisted dying are legal in Canada, the US, Belgium, Switzerland and Australia.

Sensing this probably explains why opponents were........

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