UK Parliament: Assisted Dying Bill Backed by MPs in Historic Commons Vote, Moves to Lords

 June 21, 2025 – In a landmark decision yesterday, Friday, June 20th, Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK House of Commons voted to approve a bill that would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives. This marks a significant step towards legalizing assisted dying, a move described as potentially the biggest change to social policy in the UK since abortion was partially legalized in 1967.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, championed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, passed its Third Reading in the Commons with a majority of 314 votes in favour to 291 against, a margin of 23 votes. This majority is narrower than the 55-vote lead seen during the bill's Second Reading in November, indicating some MPs had changed their stance after further scrutiny and debate.

Key Provisions and Safeguards of the Bill:

• Eligibility: The bill would allow adults over 18 in England and Wales who are deemed to have less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death.
• Mental Capacity: The person must have the mental capacity to make the decision.
• Approval Process: Any request would be subject to approval by two independent doctors and a review panel that includes a social worker, a senior legal figure, and a psychiatrist. A previous requirement for a High Court judge's sign-off was removed following objections from the legal profession.
• Self-Administration: The terminally ill person would have to be capable of taking the fatal drugs themselves.
• Opt-Out Clause: Crucially, "no person," including doctors, social care workers, and pharmacists, will be obliged to participate in the process.
• Exclusions: MPs voted to reject amendments that would have made people ineligible for assisted dying if their wish was motivated by not wanting to be a burden, a mental disorder, a disability, financial considerations, a lack of access to care, or suicidal ideation. However, an amendment designed to prevent people from accessing assisted dying by voluntarily stopping eating or drinking gained wide support and was passed.
• Geographic Scope: The bill applies only to England and Wales. Scotland is pursuing its own similar legislation, and the Isle of Man's Assisted Dying Bill is awaiting Royal Assent.

Parliamentary and Public Reaction:

The vote followed an impassioned and often emotional debate in the Commons, with MPs sharing personal stories. It was a "free vote," meaning lawmakers could vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines. Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, while some of his cabinet members, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, voted against it. Former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also voted in favour.

Outside Parliament, hundreds of campaigners from both sides gathered. Supporters, many wearing "Campaign for Dignity in Dying" attire, cheered and embraced as the result was announced, while opponents stood in silence, holding banners urging lawmakers not to make the NHS the "National Suicide Service." Public opinion polls have consistently shown strong support for legalizing assisted dying in the UK.

Next Steps:

The bill now progresses to the unelected House of Lords, where it will undergo further scrutiny and debate. While the Lords can amend or delay the legislation, they are typically reluctant to block bills that have passed the elected House of Commons. The formal introduction to the Lords (First Reading) is expected on Monday, June 23rd.

If the bill eventually becomes law, it is anticipated that there will be a four-year implementation period, meaning assisted dying services might not be available until around 2029, allowing time for the government and NHS to establish the necessary frameworks and safeguards.