British lawmakers have voted to allow assisted dying, a move set to make the UK one of a small handful of countries to allow terminally ill people to end their lives.

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

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.

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.

The UK House of Commons voted in favor of a landmark bill to legalize assisted dying, potentially putting England and Wales on track to a fundamental social reform that’s largely supported by the British public.

England: The House of Commons in the United Kingdom (UK), made a historic decision by voting in favour of legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill, which passed with 330 votes in favour and 275 against,

It was a free vote in Parliament with MPs asked to follow their own conscience after consulting constituents. Mr Argar told the Melton Times earlier this week that he had received more letters on the assisted dying debate from constituents than on any other issue since he was elected in July.

A bill on legalizing assisted dying for the terminally ill passed the second reading in the House of Commons. This followed a lengthy debate, with politicians free to vote on their conscience not party lines.