MPs vote against fresh attempt to legalise assisted dying
The UK House of Commons has voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, effectively halting the current attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill, which would have allowed terminally ill adults to end their lives under strict medical safeguards, was defeated by a narrow margin of 16 votes.
Why it matters
This vote represents a significant legislative setback for a major societal policy change that has been the subject of intense national debate.
Figure caption, Watch: MPs share personal stories in assisted dying debate
MPs have voted against proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, bringing the latest effort to change the law to an end.
Following a debate in which both sides made emotional speeches, the House of Commons voted 286 to 270, majority 16, against the proposed legislation.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would have allowed adults with fewer than six months to live to apply to be given help to end their own life, subject to certain safeguards.
A similar bill in the last parliamentary session was supported by MPs before stalling in the House of Lords . The decision from MPs on Friday rules out the prospect of changes to the law on assisted dying in the short-term.
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