UK lawmakers vote down bill to allow assisted dying in England and Wales - AP News

A proposal to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales was rejected by the House of Commons on its second reading. The motion, introduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, was defeated by a vote of 286 to 270.

The bill would have allowed terminally ill adults who meet strict criteria to request medical assistance in ending their lives. It was similar to legislation that had previously passed a second reading in the Commons during the last parliamentary term but had not become law.

Earlier in the year, a majority of MPs had expressed support for the measure, but its progress was halted in the House of Lords, preventing it from advancing to a final vote before the current session ended.

With the defeat at the second‑reading stage, the proposal is unlikely to be re‑introduced before the next general election, effectively halting any immediate change to the legal framework governing assisted dying.

The outcome reflects ongoing parliamentary division on the issue, with supporters arguing for greater autonomy for terminally ill patients and opponents raising concerns about safeguards and societal implications.