MPs have voted in favour of legalising assisted suicide as the contentious piece of legislation cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons.
The Commons voted by 330 to 275 in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
More than 160 MPs made bids to speak during today’s debate in the House of Commons, where concerns were raised around dignity and palliative care.
The Bill, passed by a majority of 55 votes, will now proceed to committee stage, where MPs can table amendments before it faces additional scrutiny and votes in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
After coming to power, Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to “make time” for a vote on the issue, indicating in September that MPs would have a free vote on the issue before Christmas.
The law would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to end their lives, under certain conditions.
Care Not Kill were among organisations who raised concerns about the Bill and its impact on those with disabilities and the provision of palliative care.
