ENGLAND AND WALES – The House of Commons discusses End of Life Bill
20 May 2025
On 16 May 2025, the House of Commons started its debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. This also involves further adjustments to the provisions. The final vote on the bill is expected sometime in June.
Even if the majorities are not yet secured: with this bill, for the first time in 10 years, there is a chance that assisted dying will become possible in England and Wales in the next few years – albeit in a narrow frame.
It will be a free vote, which means every MP can vote according to their personal convictions. If the bill passes, it will move to the House of Lords for discussion and possible further amendments, before being presented once more to the House of Commons for another discussion and vote.
On 29 November 2024, the House of Commons voted 330:275 in favour of pursuing the legislative process*. There was great relief among supporters that this first hurdle had been overcome, and a committee headed by Kim Leadbeater subsequently revised the draft legislation, discussing and implementing numerous proposed amendments.
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* see also guest article “Assisted dying still a hot topic” (DIGNITAS Newsletter February 2025).
