The crowded House of Commons after MPs voted against enshrining the right to die in British law, blocking the second reading of the Assisted Dying Bill by 330 to 118. Photo: PA Wire
MPs have voted against enshrining the right to die in British law after more than four hours of impassioned debate.
The Commons declined to give a second reading to the Assisted Dying Bill by 330 to 118, majority 212, firmly rejecting measures which would have handed adults of sound mind and with less than six months to live the right to ask for medical help to die.
The free vote was the first time since 1997 the Commons had voted on the right to die.
The issue broke across party lines as MPs on both sides of the Commons deployed personal anecdotes, career experience and a background in faith to press their case.
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