British MPs have rejected legislation that would have legalised assisted dying in England and Wales following a tense four-hour debate.
The result was narrow, with 286 MPs voting against the bill and 270 in favour.
Safeguards proposed under the bill
The legislation would have made assisted dying available to certain terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of less than six months.
A patient's request would have required approval from two doctors and a panel of experts, while the person seeking an assisted death would have had to be capable of administering the lethal substance themselves.
The rejection leaves the UK with a different legal approach from countries including Belgium, Canada, Switzerland and Uruguay, which have introduced laws allowing assisted dying.
In July, after years of public debate, France's National Assembly approved the major social reform backed by President Emmanuel Macron.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July, had said he would not participate in the vote in order not to "influence the debate".
The Labour government maintained a neutral position on the bill, with MPs given a free vote according to their conscience.
Previous parliamentary battles
The proposal had triggered intense debate across the country and in Parliament.
An earlier version was narrowly approved by MPs in June 2025. However, it had to be abandoned in April following a prolonged deadlock in the House of Lords, Parliament's unelected upper chamber.
The bill was reintroduced in mid-June by a Labour MP.
Arguments over dignity and protection
Supporters of the legislation argue that it would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with dignity. Critics say it could place pressure on disabled and elderly people.
During the debate, Labour MP Janet Daby said she had changed her mind following previous votes, explaining that she had experienced "nightmares about death" after voting in favour of the legislation.
"I had to fight against myself, knowing that I did not feel comfortable with the decision I had made, that my conscience was not at peace," she said.
Labour MP Lorin Edwards, who introduced the bill, accused Parliament of having "let the opportunity slip away" and argued that the existing law was "simply too cruel and too unfair to remain as it is".
Dignity in Dying, which campaigns for a change in the law, described the rejection as a "devastating blow for dying people".
"However, this issue is not going away. Changing the law on assisted dying remains a question of 'when', not 'if'," the organisation said.
By contrast, Assist Us To Live, a group representing disabled people with terminal illnesses, described the vote as a "victory" for "all those this bill would have put at risk".
Poll shows more support than opposition
According to a YouGov poll conducted on 7 September, 41% of Britons support legalisation, compared with 28% who oppose it.
Source: AMNA
