Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Private Member’s Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales will have its first reading today, marking its formal introduction to Parliament.

The bill is expected to allow terminally ill adults nearing the end of their life to have the option to end it, but there would be strict eligibility requirements.

Ms Leadbeater said the bill was not about people with disabilities or mental health conditions, and that there would be clear criteria set for access, as well as medical and judicial safeguards.

The bill will be given a second reading in the Commons on November 29, after which MPs are expected to take part in a free vote. If the Bill passes its second reading, it will enter a committee stage followed by further scrutiny in the Commons and the House of Lords before a final vote on whether it should become law.

Assisted dying in England and Wales is currently a crime with a maximum sentence of 14 years. In 2015 Parliament voted to overwhelmingly reject assisted dying 330 votes to 118.

Ms Leadbeater took on the issue of assisted dying after being drawn first in the Private Member’s Bill ballot last month.

She explained: “I hadn’t had any personal experience of it, in terms of a family member or loved one, but I knew where I stood on it.

“What I didn’t realise was how much it meant to so many people. When I came top of the ballot, I thought ‘this is an opportunity to make a difference’.

“I’m not the sort of person to walk away from a challenging subject. I’ve always had a real sense of justice and injustice and when I see something that’s wrong, I feel a duty to do something about it.

“When you meet the families who have had some horrific experiences…I just feel we have got a moral duty to have the debate and, I think and I hope, also to change the law.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that assisted dying is “dangerous” and warned that legalisation would lead to a “slippery slope” where more people would feel compelled to end their lives.

Dame Esther Rantzen has urged Britons to get behind the campaign and write to their MP in support of assisted dying.

In a heartfelt plea in the Daily Express she said: “Once again I am asking for your help. I am writing to my MP… and explaining why I believe they need to vote yes.

“Please could you write to yours, and explain why a vote to change the current, cruel law is so crucial, and if you have personal stories, include them. Please explain that for some of us, time is running out.”

The Express Give Us Our Last Rights crusade has fought to change the law on assisted dying for over two years.