MPs Reject Assisted Dying Legislation in England and Wales
Members of Parliament voted against a bill to legalize assisted dying, with the final tally being 286 to 270. This decision prevents the measure from advancing before the next general election.
Sources
The assisted dying bill for England and Wales failed to pass in the Commons after key support waned, particularly from Andy Burnham’s government, which shifted focus to improving end-of-life support instead. In the most recent vote, 270 MPs supported the bill while 286 voted against it, marking a drop of 45 votes in favor compared to the previous session. Despite the setback, campaigners remain optimistic that public support for the assisted dying policy persists, although MPs may be hesitant to revisit the issue in the near future.
Lawmakers in the UK have voted against a bill that would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose assisted dying, with 286 MPs opposing it and 270 in favor. The proposed legislation aimed to permit adults with less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, requiring approval from two doctors and an expert panel. Despite this setback, campaigners assert that the issue of assisted dying will continue to be a focus of future discussions, as a recent poll indicated that two in three Britons support the legalization of assisted dying under certain conditions.
MPs voted 286 to 270 against a bill that would legalize assisted dying in England and Wales, effectively halting the measure before the next general election. This decision reverses previous support for a similar bill passed by the Commons in the last parliament, which was approved by 330 votes to 275 and 313 to 291 in subsequent readings. Proponents of assisted dying expressed disappointment, arguing that public support for changing the law is strong, and noted a lack of campaign lobbying compared to prior attempts.
The assisted dying bill is set for a vote in the Commons today, allowing adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to seek medical assistance to end their lives. Previously, the bill encountered significant opposition in the House of Lords, having over 1,280 amendments tabled against it after passing the Commons in June 2025. If passed, the UK would join several countries and regions, including 13 US states, where assisted dying is already legal.