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Assisted dying bill: Commons backs it in 2025, but Lords run out of time in 2026
MPs backed the bill in the House of Commons on June 20, 2025, by 314 votes to 291. In April 2026, after months of Lords scrutiny and hundreds of amendments, time ran out and there was no final vote. The debate is not over, but a future reintroduction would depend on parliamentary procedure.
Why It Matters
This event highlights tensions between elected MPs and the Lords over end-of-life policy and the challenges of advancing a private Members' Bill through both houses.
Timeline
4 Events
Other jurisdictions' positions on assisted dying
April 24, 2026
The Scottish Parliament decided to reject assisted dying; Isle of Man and Jersey have backed it, though their bills have yet to receive royal assent.
Private Members' Bill status and possible future reintroduction
April 24, 2026
The bill is a Private Members' Bill brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. It cannot simply be brought back in the next session; it could be reintroduced by another backbencher via the MPs' ballot. The Parliament Act could, in theory, be used to bypass the Lords, but experts say this would require an unusual and unprecedented set of circumstances.
April 24, 2026 — Lords debate ends without final decision; time runs out
April 24, 2026
After months of debate in the Lords, the bill did not pass in time for a final decision in the current Parliament. Hundreds of amendments were proposed, and there was not enough time to discuss or vote on all changes. Supporters criticised the process as blocking the will of MPs; others defended it as proper scrutiny.
June 20, 2025 — Commons backs assisted dying bill
June 20, 2025
MPs voted 314 for and 291 against a Private Members' Bill brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The result was described as historic by some; campaigners outside Parliament were emotional and delighted, while opponents were disappointed. The vote was compared to other landmark conscience votes in Parliament.