UK Parliament Passes Assisted Dying Bill in Landmark Vote
Bill approved by House of Commons with 314‑291 majority
The House of Commons has narrowly approved the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, granting terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live the legal option to seek medically assisted death following the consent of two doctors and a regulatory panel.
The legislation was passed by a margin of 314 to 291 and now moves on to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, with royal assent anticipated later this year and implementation scheduled by 2029.
Supporters hailed the vote as a compassionate milestone offering dignity and autonomy at life’s end, while critics raised concerns over weakened safeguards, pressures on vulnerable individuals, and the need to bolster palliative care.
The sweeping societal and ethical implications of this measure are now poised to enter deeper debate in the Lords.
The legislation was passed by a margin of 314 to 291 and now moves on to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, with royal assent anticipated later this year and implementation scheduled by 2029.
Supporters hailed the vote as a compassionate milestone offering dignity and autonomy at life’s end, while critics raised concerns over weakened safeguards, pressures on vulnerable individuals, and the need to bolster palliative care.
The sweeping societal and ethical implications of this measure are now poised to enter deeper debate in the Lords.
