Sir Keir Starmer said he is pleased he could keep his vow to Dame Esther Rantzen to make time for a debate and vote on assisted dying as a Bill is set to come before Parliament this month.The broadcaster, who is terminally ill and has been outspoken in her calls for change, said she was not expecting to have a chance to witness such a debate in her lifetime and that the news has filled her with hope.Dame Esther had a telephone conversation with Sir Keir earlier this year - before he became Prime

Sir Keir Starmer said he is pleased he could keep his vow to Dame Esther Rantzen to make time for a debate and vote on assisted dying as a Bill is set to come before Parliament this month.The broadcaster, who is terminally ill and has been outspoken in her calls for change, said she was not expecting to have a chance to witness such a debate in her lifetime and that the news has filled her with hope.Dame Esther had a telephone conversation with Sir Keir earlier this year - before he became Prime Minister - in which he pledged his commitment on the issue.On Thursday, it was announced that Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will introduce a private member's bill (PMB) on assisted dying after topping a ballot, which gives her priority on a Friday sitting."The Government will be neutral on this as you know, but I did make that commitment to a free vote and I am sticking to that commitment," said the Prime Minister.Elsewhere, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he would be voting against the Bi