After nearly seven months of debate, the House of Commons has passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, moving England and Wales one step closer to legalising assisted dying. The bill passed by a narrow margin of 23 votes and now heads to the House of Lords for further review.
Introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the legislation would allow terminally ill adults with six months or fewer to live to seek medical assistance to end their lives, subject to strict safeguards.
MPs were given a free vote on the bill—allowing them to vote according to their conscience rather than party lines—following nearly three hours of emotional and often personal debate. “I know what this means to terminally ill people,” Leadbeater told the BBC, expressing her joy at the result. “I’m over the Moon.”
The bill has sparked significant controversy, drawing opposition from religious leaders and some healthcare professionals. The Bishop of London warned the measure was “unworkable and unsafe,” voicing concerns about its potential impact on vulnerable individuals.
Despite the polarised views, BBC political editor Chris Mason described the vote as a pivotal moment that could signal a major social shift in the UK. With the bill clearing the Commons, it now faces scrutiny in the House of Lords, where further debate and potential amendments await.
