Key facts
- MPs rejected an assisted dying bill for England and Wales.
- Support for the bill fell to 270 votes, a decrease of 45 from the previous vote.
- Opposition to the bill was 286 votes.
- Some MPs cited their conscience as a reason for not supporting the bill.
- The perceived lack of government enthusiasm, particularly from Andy Burnham, may have contributed to the loss of momentum.
- Concerns about the bill's safeguards and potential for coercion were raised by some MPs.
Members of Parliament in the UK have rejected an assisted dying bill for England and Wales, with support for the legislation falling significantly since a similar vote last year. The final tally showed 270 votes in favor and 286 against, a decrease of 45 votes for the bill compared to the previous occasion.
Campaigners for assisted dying largely attributed the failure to the House of Lords' initial blocking of the bill and the subsequent introduction of over 1,000 amendments, which consumed parliamentary time. Opponents, however, suggested that numerous objections on safety grounds had weakened the legislation to the point of inevitable failure.
Many MPs reportedly felt that momentum was lost when it became clear the bill was not a priority for Andy Burnham's government. Although Burnham had previously indicated he might vote in favor of an initial private member's bill, he later stated that improving end-of-life support should be the greater focus. This shift in position was seen as a blow to pro-campaigners, especially after Keir Starmer had previously offered tacit support.
Some MPs also admitted privately that backing the bill did not benefit Starmer's administration, as it caused divisions among Labour MPs and diverted attention from more electorally pressing issues. Concerns were also raised about the potential use of the Parliament Act to force the bill through if blocked again by the Lords, which would have meant it remained unchanged from the previous year's version. This worried some MPs who supported the principle but desired further safeguards against coercion.
Labour MP David Burton-Sampson, for example, voted for the bill's progression to allow individual choice, despite personally opposing assisted dying due to his Christian faith, but expressed discomfort with its passage into law without additional safeguards. The perceived lack of enthusiasm from Burnham ultimately gave MPs who had theoretical support but practical misgivings permission to abstain from the vote.
Proponents of assisted dying stated that this is not the end of their efforts, but MPs may be hesitant to dedicate more parliamentary time to the debate given the evenly split opinion. Opponents, however, viewed the outcome as a relief, expressing concerns about the potential harm to vulnerable individuals.