Assisted Dying Bill Advances in UK Parliament After Historic Vote

Westminster, UK - A landmark vote in the UK Parliament on June 20, 2025, saw the assisted dying bill pass its latest stage, marking a significant step towards potentially legalizing the practice. The bill, which has sparked intense debate across the nation, generated strong reactions both inside and outside the House of Commons. Campaigners gathered outside Parliament, with supporters of assisted dying expressing relief and opponents voicing concerns over the legislation's implications. Dame Esther Rantzen, a prominent advocate for the bill who is battling a terminal illness, shared her profound sense of astonishment and relief. Speaking to ITV News' UK Editor Paul Brand, she stated, "It won’t come in my lifetime, I won’t live long enough, but I am so relieved that it will help future generations to be able to look forward with hope and confidence to a good death." Inside Parliament, MPs engaged in a four-hour debate on the sensitive matter, weighing the arguments for individual control over one's end-of-life choices against fears of coercion and the potential impact on vulnerable individuals. The vote concluded with 314 MPs voting in favour and 291 against, demonstrating the deeply divided opinions on the issue. The bill will now proceed to the House of Lords for further consideration.