UK Lawmakers Vote in Favor of Assisted-Dying Bill

On Friday, UK lawmakers voted in favor of advancing the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes legalizing assisted dying for terminally ill people in England and Wales. The vote passed with 330 MPs in support and 275 against, marking the first vote on legal euthanasia in the House of Commons in nearly a decade.

The vote follows a contentious and emotional debate that lasted nearly five hours, with both supporters and opponents of the bill making their voices heard. The bill now moves to the committee stage, where lawmakers can propose amendments. Further votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are expected, but if passed, the change in law could still be years away.

Supporters of the bill argue that it would offer terminally ill individuals the autonomy to choose a dignified end to their lives. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the bill, emphasized that the law would provide “choice, autonomy and dignity at the end of their lives.” Proponents also argue that it could alleviate unnecessary suffering and make some deaths less painful.

However, the bill faced strong opposition. Critics expressed concerns that vulnerable individuals might feel coerced into opting for euthanasia, while others feared it would discriminate against people with disabilities. Some MPs also questioned whether the healthcare system is ready for such a significant change and worried it could undermine investment in palliative care. Conservative MP Danny Kruger described the proposal as a “state suicide service” and urged rejection.

Outside Parliament, protests took place on both sides of the debate. Opponents held signs reading “Kill the Bill, not the ill,” while supporters carried placards with slogans like “My life, my death, my choice.”

Currently, assisted suicide carries a 14-year maximum prison sentence in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, assisted suicide is not specifically criminalized, but it could lead to other charges, such as murder. Under Leadbeater’s bill, only adults with an incurable illness and a life expectancy of fewer than six months would be eligible for assisted suicide, and they would need to self-administer the fatal substance. The request for assisted suicide would require approval from two doctors and a judge.

Though Leadbeater’s bill is a private members’ initiative and not part of the government’s agenda, it comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to revisit the issue. Starmer had previously supported assisted suicide in 2015, though he has remained neutral ahead of this vote.

Recent polls indicate that the majority of Britons are in favor of changing the law, but the issue remains divisive, with significant opposition from faith leaders and others.