MPs have voted to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales after a final debate on the change in law. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, backed by 314 votes to 291, has been passed despite a narrow majority. MPs were given a free vote on the issue, allowing them to make their own decisions.
The bill proposes that terminally ill people can end their life if they meet certain conditions, including having mental capacity, living in England or Wales, and expecting to die within six months. The bill has undergone significant changes since its introduction, including dropping the requirement for a High Court judge’s approval.
Assisted dying laws are already in place in several countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Austria. The decision comes after nearly a decade of debate and scrutiny, with previous votes on assisted dying laws resulting in a rejection in 2015. A separate bill on assisted dying is being considered in Scotland, while the Isle of Man was the first part of the British Isles to approve it in March.
The bill now passes to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before becoming law.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd78nvn2r1yo