British Parliament rejects assisted dying bill for England and Wales

On Friday, September 11, 2026, members of the British House of Commons rejected a bill that would have legalized assisted dying in England and Wales. Following a four-hour debate, the measure was defeated in a close vote, with 286 lawmakers voting against and 270 in favor.

The proposed legislation sought to allow adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than six months to end their lives with medical assistance. The process would have required the approval of two doctors and a panel of experts, and the patient would have been required to personally administer the lethal substance. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July, abstained from the vote to avoid influencing the outcome, and the Labour government maintained a neutral stance, allowing members to vote according to their conscience.

This decision marks the end of a two-year parliamentary process that included a similar bill passing the House of Commons in June 2025 before failing in the House of Lords. The current rejection maintains the status quo in the United Kingdom, distinguishing its legal framework from countries such as Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and Uruguay, where assisted dying is currently permitted.