UK MPs have voted to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. The bill, passed by 330 votes to 275, marks the first significant step toward changing the law, nearly a decade after the issue was last debated in Parliament.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, would allow adults expected to die within six months to seek medical assistance to end their lives. The legislation includes strict safeguards, requiring approval from two independent doctors and a High Court judge.

The vote followed an emotional Commons debate, with MPs from all sides sharing personal experiences. Supporters outside Parliament celebrated the result, with many expressing hope for future generations. Campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, who has terminal lung cancer, described the vote as a "historic step," though she acknowledged the law may come too late to impact her personally.

Opponents of the bill raised concerns about potential pressure on vulnerable individuals and called for improvements in end-of-life care instead of legalising assisted dying. Conservative MP Danny Kruger, a leading critic, warned that insufficient safeguards could jeopardise the bill’s progress in future stages.

The government has taken a neutral stance, with MPs granted a free vote. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former Conservative leader Rishi Sunak voted in favour, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch opposed the bill. A higher proportion of female MPs supported the measure compared to their male colleagues.

The bill faces further debate and scrutiny in both the Commons and the House of Lords before it can become law. If enacted, it would align England and Wales with countries like Canada and the Netherlands, which already permit assisted dying under strict conditions.