Assisted dying bill clears Commons in landmark vote

A bill to legalise the choice of assisted dying has cleared the House of Commons in a landmark vote today.

MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill's third reading 314 to 291. MPs were given a free vote, meaning they were not instructed on how to vote by party whips.

The bill would enable terminally ill, mentally competent adults in England or Wales with less than six months to live to choose an assisted death.

Amendments to the bill have strengthened its safeguards and protections for medical professionals who conscientiously object to assisted dying so they cannot be compelled to participate in any part of the process.

The National Secular Society has for many years supported campaigns for reform of the existing law on assisted dying.

The bill will now proceed to the House of Lords.

NSS: Bill upholds personal freedoms without "constraints of others' religious dogma"

NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said: "Today's landmark vote affirms the right of mentally competent, terminally ill adults to make a voluntary and informed decision about the time and manner of their death, free from the constraints of others' religious dogma.

"With overwhelming public support for the legalisation of assisted dying, this bill establishes a robust legislative framework that includes comprehensive safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals while upholding personal freedoms."