UK MPs Approve Assisted-Dying Bill Amid Church Opposition

The UK Parliament is currently debating the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults with six months or less to live in England and Wales. The bill recently passed a close vote in the House of Commons but still requires further scrutiny in the House of Lords. Church leaders, including the Bishops of London and Southwark and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, have strongly opposed the bill, citing concerns over the potential for abuse, coercion, and the impact on vulnerable groups amid unequal access to palliative care. Several MPs, such as those from Wiltshire, have also expressed opposition due to insufficient safeguards and fears that the bill could pressure disabled and vulnerable individuals. Supporters argue the bill offers a compassionate choice with strict criteria, while opponents warn it risks creating a society where the lives of the terminally ill are undervalued. The Senedd lost a proposed veto power over the bill's implementation in Wales following a Commons vote, though it will retain regulatory powers alongside the UK government.