Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Amendment 24

What happened: The House of Commons voted on Amendment 24 to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 20 June 2025, defeating it by 266 votes to 213. The amendment proposed additional safeguards or restrictions to the assisted dying framework set out in the Bill, and its defeat means the original framework remained intact on this point as the Bill proceeded through its final Commons stages.

Why it matters: The defeat of Amendment 24 means that the particular additional safeguard or restriction it sought to introduce will not be incorporated into the Bill as it progresses to the House of Lords. The Bill, which would create a legal framework allowing terminally ill adults in England and Wales to request assistance to end their lives, continues to advance without this modification. Those who supported the amendment argued the Bill required stronger protections; those who voted against believed the existing framework was sufficient or that additional restrictions would undermine access for eligible patients.

The politics: This was a free vote, with MPs voting according to conscience rather than party whip, and the division cut sharply across party lines. Labour MPs split 110 in favour and 171 against, while Conservatives divided 58 in favour and 15 against, reflecting the broad cross-party coalitions that have characterised every vote on this Bill. The Liberal Democrats voted heavily against the amendment, 51 to 11. Smaller parties including the DUP, Reform UK, and the Ulster Unionist Party sided with the Ayes, while the Greens and Plaid Cymru voted unanimously against. The same day saw multiple other amendments voted on, with the Bill ultimately passing Third Reading by 314 votes to 291.