Three Kent MPs have confirmed they will vote in favour of today’s assisted dying bill, while five will oppose it - with several yet to decide.

Politicians are set to debate legislation about whether to make it legal for terminally ill adults in England and Wales to be given medical assistance to end their own lives.

Pro-change campaigners Dignity in Dying argue that, along with good care, people who are terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death.

However, the campaign group Care Not Killing argues the focus should be on “promoting more and better palliative care” rather than any law change.

They say legalising assisted dying could “place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others” and argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk.

Kent MPs have expressed both their support and concerns about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which is set to be voted on today.

But some of the county’s politicians remain undecided with just hours left before the vote.

Dartford MP Jim Dickson held a last-minute event last night with residents to hear their views.

"This debate is about a very complex issue, with strongly-held views on both sides, so it has been important to me to hear the facts from experts as well as from my Dartford constituents before deciding how I will vote,” the Labour politician said.

Gillingham and Rainham MP Naushaba Khan also remains undecided.

“Naushabah is not prepared to declare her voting intention on this matter yet,” her office said.

“She will listen carefully and consider both sides of the argument tomorrow."

Chatham and Aylesford Labour MP Tristan Osborne told KentOnline he is still considering options after listening to representations from religious leaders and constituents.

“I will be listening to the debate tomorrow where I intend to make my mind up,” he said.

“I will not be abstaining, I guarantee that, I will make my mind up one way or the other, but I am still listening to points at this moment in time.”

Only terminally ill adults who are expected to die within six months and who have been resident in England and Wales and registered with a GP for at least 12 months will be eligible.

They must have the mental capacity to make a choice about the end of their life and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish – free from coercion or pressure – to end their life.

Five of the county’s MPs have confirmed to KentOnline they will be voting against the bill.

Ashford MP Sojan Joseph says he believes – in principle – people should have the right to choose how to end their life when living with a terminal illness.

However, the Labour politician said: “I do not believe that there are enough safeguards in place for vulnerable people – especially those with mental health issues.

“Fluctuating capacity is something I witnessed first-hand when working in the NHS, and until preventative measures and more safeguarding are put into place, I wouldn’t feel comfortable voting on a bill like this.”

His colleague, East Thanet MP Polly Billington, is also voting against assisted dying.

“I am a strong advocate for people to be able to have a good death,” she said.

“That will take many forms and I want to ensure people have those choices while at the same time protecting those who might otherwise be pressured into decisions that are not right for them.

“Society should protect the vulnerable as well as enable freedoms.

“I am yet to be convinced the legislation in front of us will deliver that and I am clear the process it will go through will be insufficient to deliver a law that does both.”

Conservative Sir Roger Gale confirmed he opposes the legislation. The North Thanet MP said: “For both personal and practical reasons I shall be voting against the bill."

His Tory colleague Maidstone and Malling MP Helen Grant says she has “thought deeply” and spoken with constituents and representatives of different interest groups about the proposal.

“After giving careful consideration to arguments from both sides, I intend to vote against the bill on Friday,” the Conservative said.

“I recognise that the desire to change the law on assisted dying comes from a place of compassion. I also understand the desire for autonomy and choice.

“However, one of my chief duties as a legislator is to pass safe laws that protect the most vulnerable from coercion and abuse. I do not consider the provisions in the current bill to be safe and effective.

“I am instead convinced that, for people who are dying, it is critical they have reliable access to high quality, specialist palliative care, which is not currently available to all who need it. This is something for which I will continue to advocate."

Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat says he has spent “a significant amount of time” thinking about this issue and discussing it with others.

“I believe an open discussion on assisted dying is worthwhile,” the Conservative said.

“However, I am not convinced this bill includes the safeguards necessary for an issue of this significance, nor does it address all the circumstances that a measure of this kind could raise.

“This is not a medical question but one of morality and ethics, which is why it is so fraught with difficulty.

“When patients are suffering, the priority for carers must be to alleviate pain. Palliative care is at the heart of our hospice movement and that is why I am proud to be a patron of Hospice in the Weald, here in Kent.

“But palliative care is not only about pain. It is about preparing a person to meet their death with the dignity and peace that we all deserve.

“This is not something that can ever be easy, no matter the age or infirmity of the individual.

“As with many different topics, it is incredibly important that we take time to debate and discuss the various implications that may result from a change in policy, and that should be no different in this case.”

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater formally introduced her bill to Parliament in October.

A debate and first vote are expected to take place today.

If the bill passes the first stage in the Commons, MPs can table amendments when it goes to the committee part of scrutiny.

This is before it faces further examination and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

It means any change in the law would not be agreed until next year at the earliest.

Meanwhile, three Kent MPs confirmed to KentOnline they will be supporting the bill today.

Rochester and Strood MP Lauren Edwards (Lab) said: “I have considered all views and thought deeply about the matter, and have decided to vote in favour.

“I am satisfied the bill contains appropriate safeguards and we can give people who are terminally ill the choice to be assisted to end their life to end their suffering whilst also improving end-of-life care for everyone.”

Her colleague Sittingbourne and Sheppy’s Kevin McKenna will also be voting for assisted dying.

“As a former NHS intensive care nurse, while most people have pain-free, dignified deaths, I’ve also seen people have distressing deaths that neither they nor their families wished for,” he said.

“My conversations with Kim and other experts mean I am certain that support for this bill is the right thing to do. It’s about giving people choice and dignity as a part of palliative care, and it’s great to see such overwhelming support from my constituents.”

Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan described the legislation as a “well-drafted bill” which he believes “will result in greater individual freedom”.

Expressing his support, he said: “The bill is not only about legalising assisted dying, it is about doing so in a safe, respectful and sensitive manner.

“It will ultimately be for the individual – not the doctor or other health professional – to take the necessary drugs to end their life. I do not believe doctors will be compromised in their professional duties.

“No medical professional would be under any obligation to participate in the assisted dying process.

“I believe real investment needs to be made into palliative care and I will push for this so that everyone can access the end-of-life care they need.”

If the bill becomes law, a terminally ill person seeking to end their life will have to make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die.

The process must involve two independent doctors being satisfied the person is eligible and the medics can consult a specialist in the person’s condition and get an assessment from an expert in mental capacity if deemed necessary.

A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors regarding the application and can also question the dying person as well as anyone else they consider appropriate.

KentOnline did not receive responses from a number of Kent MPs when contacted for comment, including Canterbury’s Rosie Duffield, Dover and Deal’s Mike Tapp, Faversham and Mid Kent’s Helen Whately, Gravesham’s Lauren Sullivan, Sevenoaks’ Laura Trott, Tunbridge Wells’ Mike Martin and the Weald of Kent’s Katie Lam.