Majority MPs Back Assisted Dying Bill Amid Significant Opposition England,Wales

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults with six months or less to live in England and Wales, passed a third reading in the House of Commons, supported by MPs including Labour's Josh Dean and Chris Vince. Despite the bill's progress, significant opposition remains, including from some Labour MPs like Mike Kane and Dan Carden, who cite concerns over insufficient safeguards, the legislative process, and the bill's impact on societal values and vulnerable populations. Four Labour MPs publicly switched their votes to oppose the bill, describing it as "drastically weakened" due to the removal of promised High Court oversight in favor of expert panels, a change also criticized by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Labour members broadly support the bill, with a Survation poll showing 54% in favor, although younger members tend to oppose it. The bill now moves to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, while campaigners urge MPs to pass the legislation, warning that failure would delay reform for at least a decade. The debate highlights deep divisions within the Labour Party and wider society over assisted dying, balancing personal conscience, religious beliefs, and concerns about protections for vulnerable people.