MPs have voted to legalise assisted dying, a historic social change the likes of which hasn’t been seen in a generation.
The bill will allow terminally ill adults, who have six months left to live, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life. The decision must be approved by two doctors and a high court judge.
330 MPs voted in favour of the bill, compared to 275 against. This provides a robust majority of 55 votes reflecting the public’s overwhelming support for the policy. YouGov’s latest polling indicates 73% of Britons believe in the principle of assisted dying (November 2024).
The Private Members Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, is not officially supported by either party. The whip was suspended for the free vote, with MPs encouraged to follow their conscience.
Although more Conservatives voted against the bill and more Labour MPs for it, this debate has divided parties and the cabinet itself. Notably, those in opposition included Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, former-labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and current Health Secretary Wes Streeting, forming an unlikely alliance.
Critics such as the Conservative MP Danny Kruger have rejected the principle of assisted dying as a “state suicide service”.
Others have concerns about a ‘slippery slope’, arguing that this bill may fail to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
In the debate, Labour MP Florence Eshalomi highlighted racial inequality in healthcare.
She said: “We should be helping people to live comfortable pain-free lives on their own terms, before making it easier for them to die… Freedom in death is only possible if you have had freedom in life.”
In response, Leadbeater has clearly defined the parameters of the policy such as the limited eligibility and checks, noting that, “This is not just the next phase for this bill, but it’s the next phase for lots of other things as well” such as improving palliative and social care in tandem.
Throughout the debate MPs shared emotional stories: a proponent of the bill Conservative MP Niel Shastri-Hurst described how as a surgeon and medical barrister he had “failed” patients as he was unable to give them “the death they deserve”.
The debate was framed by demonstrations outside parliament, those in favour advocating for autonomy and with many signs reading “Campaign for Dignity in Dying”.
The bill still has a long way to go before becoming law. It will be scrutinised and refined by Committees and the House of Lords before a final Commons vote.
The comfortable majority suggests this policy has the resilience and support it needs to succeed before the deadline of the 11th of July.
Britain is on the verge of the most fundamental social change since the 1960s, when abortion was legalised and homosexuality decriminalised. Strikingly, the Commons remained completely silent with no shouts of celebration when the results of the bill was announced. MPs on both sides of the debate understand how profound the journey they are embarking on is.