It is often said the definition of insanity is trying the same thing and expecting a different result. We would be wise to apply this maxim to today’s debate in Parliament about whether to legalise assisted suicide.
When MPs last voted on this issue, in 2015, the idea was rejected decisively by 330 votes to 118. This result cannot be attributed merely to the political makeup of Parliament at the time: more Labour MPs voted against than for legalisation, as did more Conservative MPs, while Liberal Democrat MPs were split evenly.
