Lawmakers in the UK House of Commons rejected the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by 286 votes to 270 on 11 September 2026. Reuters, AP and the Guardian independently reported the result. The proposed legislation would have allowed terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to seek an assisted death subject to medical and expert-panel safeguards.
What the vote means
The bill has failed at its current parliamentary stage, so it will not proceed through the remaining stages in this session. The vote also leaves the existing UK legal position unchanged for now. The proposal had been the subject of a major parliamentary debate over safeguards, palliative care and protection of vulnerable people.
Why it was rejected
Opponents argued that safeguards could be insufficient and raised concerns about pressure on vulnerable patients and the state of palliative and social care. Supporters argued that terminally ill adults should have greater control over end-of-life decisions. The government remained neutral and MPs were allowed to vote according to conscience.
What happens next
The defeat closes this attempt during the current legislative session. Supporters have indicated that the wider debate is not over, but any future legislation would require a new parliamentary process.
Sources: Reuters; AP; The Guardian.
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Fact-check: The vote and legislative status were checked against multiple reports published on 11 September 2026. Disclaimer: This article describes the parliamentary result and does not provide medical or legal advice.
