The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was rejected by the House of Commons today, with 286 MPs voting against and 270 in favour, a majority of 16. The debate lasted more than four and a half hours, during which 41 backbenchers delivered speeches.
Proposed changes to assisted dying law
The legislation would have allowed adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to the approval of two doctors and an expert panel.
The Bill had previously passed twice in the Commons, in 2024 and 2025, but ran out of time to become law before Parliament was prorogued that month, meaning it was effectively talked out. On that occasion, 14 MPs switched from voting in favour to against, with some arguing that the dropping of a previously promised High Court judge safeguard had “drastically weakened” the proposals.
Lords amendments and criticism
Members of the House of Lords were accused of delaying the Bill after more than 800 amendments were sponsored by seven peers. Opponents at the time branded the Bill “hopelessly flawed”, while supporters accused them of a “denial of democracy”.
The Government remained neutral on the Bill, with no declared position. As a private members' Bill, MPs voted according to their individual consciences rather than along party lines.
Reactions from both sides
John Sherrington, the Archbishop of Liverpool and lead bishop for life issues in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), welcomed the defeat, saying: “The true measure of a compassionate society is its willingness to support people through difficult circumstances rather than encouraging them to end their lives.”
Lauren Edwards, who brought the Bill, described its defeat as “hugely disappointing” and “heartbreaking” for terminally ill people who had wanted a law change.
What happens next
Assisted suicide will remain banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence, but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences.
Another MP could still bring a similar Bill on the issue next year, but they would need to start the whole process again from scratch.
