British lawmakers rejected legislation Friday that would have legalized assisted dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adults, defeating the measure by a vote of 286-270 in the House of Commons. The decision prevents the bill from advancing further during the current parliamentary session.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, would have allowed eligible adults with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than six months to request assistance in ending their lives, subject to proposed safeguards and protections. Edwards had reintroduced legislation based on a previous bill that passed the Commons in 2025 but failed to complete its passage through the House of Lords before the previous parliamentary session ended.

Supporters argued that the legislation would give terminally ill patients greater control over decisions at the end of their lives. Opponents raised concerns about whether vulnerable people could be pressured into seeking assisted death and whether the proposed safeguards would provide sufficient protection.

The British government remained officially neutral on the legislation. Ahead of the vote, the Ministry of Justice said the government had a responsibility to ensure any legislation approved by Parliament would be workable, effective and enforceable.

The defeat leaves the existing law unchanged. Assisted dying remains prohibited under British law, continuing a debate that has repeatedly returned to Parliament without producing a final change in the law.

Campaigners supporting legalization expressed disappointment following the vote and indicated that they intend to continue advocating for reform. Opponents welcomed the result, arguing that the existing restrictions should remain in place.

The issue remains politically and socially divisive in Britain, with lawmakers continuing to debate how the country should balance individual autonomy, end-of-life care and protections for vulnerable people.