330 MPs, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, voted in favour of the bill with 275 rejecting it, which gives the act a majority of 55. Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will allow all UK citizens aged over 18 with less than six months to live the right to end their own life.
The voting was preceded by a heated, emotional debate, mostly concentrating on the limitations and security of the proposed legislation.
Before the bill will come into power it will require more parliamentary activity and discussion on specific provisions.
More than 20 religious leaders from all denominations protested the law before voting.
Dame Sarah, the Bishop of London from the Church of England spoke against the law, and said that after the vote “safeguarding must now be our priority”.
“I have been deeply moved watching proceedings unfold in the House of Commons today. My prayers are with all those who have been affected, who have shared and heard their stories, and facilitated this debate,” the head of the Church of England said.
The protest was also expressed by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
“I thought we lived in a democracy where people were permitted to express their views and to take forward an argument and a rational argument. If Mr. Falconer can’t extend that space to religious belief, then I’m not sure why he should be in politics, actually,” the Catholic clergyman said.
The debate and voting created a massive protest outside parliament, with many people demanding a halt to the new legislation.
Among those protesting were people with disabilities demanding “better living and medical conditions, not easier death”.
Source: CNA, standard.co.uk
Tomasz Modrzejewski
Photos: British Poles
Cover photo: X @fleurmeston
