"MPs to Debate Right to Die: Historic Vote Set on Assisted Dying Law"

MPs to Debate and Vote on Historic Assisted Dying Bill Next Week

London, June 20, 2025 — Members of Parliament will engage in a landmark debate next week as the UK prepares to confront one of the most morally and emotionally complex issues of modern times: the legalization of assisted dying for terminally ill patients.

The Assisted Dying Bill 2025, introduced by Labour backbencher Stella Morris, proposes to give mentally competent adults diagnosed with a terminal illness — and with a life expectancy of fewer than six months — the legal right to request and receive medical assistance to end their lives in a manner, time, and place of their choosing.

The bill has reignited intense national conversation around dignity, suffering, and autonomy, with both heartfelt endorsements and serious concerns coming from across the political spectrum, religious institutions, human rights groups, and the medical community.

What the Bill Proposes

The legislation includes several robust safeguards aimed at preventing misuse or coercion. Among its key provisions are:

• A terminally ill individual must make a voluntary request that is enduring and informed.
• The request must be approved by two independent doctors, who confirm the diagnosis, mental capacity, and absence of external pressure.
• A 14-day cooling-off period is required between the formal request and the provision of the medication.
• A High Court judge must give final approval before the act is carried out.
• The individual must be capable of self-administering the life-ending medication.

Morris has emphasized that the bill does not introduce euthanasia — where someone else administers the medication — but instead respects the patient’s right to choose, provided strict legal conditions are met.

Public Support and Growing Momentum

Public sentiment has significantly shifted over the past decade. Recent polling by YouGov (May 2025) found that nearly 78% of UK adults support assisted dying for those suffering from terminal illnesses, citing compassion and dignity in end-of-life care as key reasons.

“This bill reflects the changing attitudes of society,” said Morris during her announcement in Westminster. “For too long, people have had to travel to Switzerland or die in agony because our laws have not caught up with modern medicine or moral reasoning. It’s time to give people choice and control over their final moments.”

Over 200 MPs have already expressed varying levels of support, and more than 40 prominent public figures — including celebrities, authors, and retired judges — have signed an open letter urging Parliament to pass the bill.

The Divided Opposition

Yet, opposition to the bill remains strong and vocal. Critics argue that even with safeguards, legalizing assisted dying could lead to subtle coercion of the elderly, disabled, or economically vulnerable individuals who may feel pressure to opt for death to avoid being a “burden.”

Faith groups, including representatives from the Church of England, Catholic Church, and several Islamic scholars, have condemned the bill as ethically wrong, asserting that life is sacred and should not be intentionally shortened under any circumstance.

Some medical professionals and palliative care specialists have also voiced concerns, saying efforts should instead focus on improving access to hospice care, pain relief, and psychological support rather than introducing legal means of ending life.

The British Medical Association (BMA), after years of opposing assisted dying, has now adopted a neutral stance, acknowledging the diversity of opinion within its membership and wider society.

Political Context and Free Vote

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the vote will be a free vote, meaning MPs will not be required to follow party lines but can vote based on their conscience.

“This issue transcends politics,” Starmer said during a press conference at Downing Street. “It touches on personal experience, morality, and the fundamental right of individuals to make choices about their own lives and deaths. It deserves a careful, thoughtful, and respectful debate.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and several Cabinet members have expressed cautious support, though others remain undecided. The Conservative leadership has largely refrained from making public statements, though several backbench Tories have indicated they will vote in favour.

The Road Ahead

The second reading of the bill is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, and will be followed by a full debate in the House of Commons. Should the bill pass, it will move to the committee stage, where it will undergo detailed examination and potential amendments before returning for a final vote.

If ultimately passed into law, the UK would join a growing list of jurisdictions — including Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, parts of the United States, and New Zealand — where medically assisted dying is legal under strict regulation.

For now, the UK stands on the threshold of a profound shift in how it views death, suffering, and personal liberty — with the eyes of the nation, and the world, closely watching.