UK parliament votes in favour of assisted dying law

Britain’s parliament voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying, paving the way for the country’s biggest social change in a generation.

The legislation passed by a vote of 314-291, clearing its biggest parliamentary hurdle.

The “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)” law would give mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less left to live the right to choose to end their lives with medical help.

The bill now proceeds to Britain’s upper chamber, the House of Lords, where it will undergo months of scrutiny. While there could be further amendments, the unelected Lords will be reluctant to block legislation that has been passed by elected members of the House of Commons. The vote puts Britain on course to follow Australia, Canada and other countries, as well as some US states, in permitting assisted dying.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government was neutral on the legislation, meaning politicians voted according to their conscience rather than along party lines. Starmer voted in favour.

Supporters of the bill say it will provide dignity and compassion to people suffering, but opponents worry that vulnerable people could be coerced into ending their lives. Hundreds of people gathered outside parliament to hear news of the vote.

When the result was read out, those in favour of the legislation hugged, clapped and cheered. They shouted “victory,” “we won” and waved placards. Those opposed to it stood in silence.

Emma Bray, who has motor neurone disease, said she hoped the result would help people in her condition.

Bray, who is 42 and has two children, said she plans to starve herself to death next month to help relieve the pain after being told she only has six months to live. “This result will mean that people will not have to go through the same suffering I have faced,” she told Reuters.

Opinion polls show that a majority of Britons back assisted dying. Friday’s vote followed hours of emotional debate and references to personal stories in the chamber and followed a vote in November that approved the legislation in principle.

Opponents of the bill had argued that ill people may feel they should end their lives for fear of being a burden to their families and society. Some lawmakers withdrew their support after the initial vote last year, saying safeguards had been weakened.

Reuters