Under the proposed legislation, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live would be allowed the right to choose to end their lives with medical assistance.

Palliative care expert Nancy Preston said interest increased during the pandemic, when people witnessed the sorts of deaths they want to avoid for themselves.

Women hug each other during a demonstration in support of assisted dying outside the British parliament after lawmakers voted in favour of the assisted dying law, in London, Britain, November 29, 2024.

Today, in a historic vote, MPs have voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. After five hours of emotional debate the bill passed with 330 in favour to 275 against, at the first stage in the Commons.

The bill applies to those who are at least 18 years old, have received a terminal diagnosis and have no more than six months to live. Two doctors and a judge would have to give their approval, and fatal drugs would need to be self-administered.

British lawmakers have started a historic debate on a proposal to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales, an issue that has divided Parliament and the country

Lawmakers in Britain gave initial approval to a bill to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives in England and Wales in a vote in the House of Commons on Friday.

British lawmakers gave initial approval Friday to a bill to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales.