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Commons defeats assisted-dying bill 286-270

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 6:55 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Commons Defeats Bill

The Commons defeated the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 286-270.
The bill would have let terminally ill adults in England and Wales obtain assisted death within six months.
Approval required signatures from two doctors and review by an expert panel.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham abstained, keeping the government neutral.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey opposed, while Green Party leader Ellie Chowns supported the bill.

Summary

MPs Warn

MPs warned that invoking the 1911 Parliament Act could trigger a constitutional showdown.
Labour MPs Gareth Snell and Meg Hillier sent a letter urging colleagues to reject a “this or nothing” tactic.
Peers blocked the bill by tabling over 1,000 amendments, causing it to run out of time.
The debate raised concerns that using the Act would prevent practical amendments for hospice and safeguarding issues.

History

Historical Context

In 2002 the Netherlands became the first country to legalize voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide under strict medical criteria. The Dutch model sparked repeated legislative attempts in the United Kingdom, from Lord Joffe’s 2003-2006 bills to the 2024 Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which passed its second reading in November 2024. The Dutch precedent continues to shape UK parliamentary debate on safeguards.

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Commons Defeats Bill

The Commons defeated the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 286-270.
The bill would have let terminally ill adults in England and Wales obtain assisted death within six months.
Approval required signatures from two doctors and review by an expert panel.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham abstained, keeping the government neutral.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey opposed, while Green Party leader Ellie Chowns supported the bill.

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