Religious leaders in Northern Ireland expressed “deep disappointment, sadness and regret” that assisted dying could be legalised in England and Wales.
A majority of MPs, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, supported a bill that would allow terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of less than six months to end their lives.
Amid emotional scenes in the Commons, politicians on both sides of the debate made impassioned arguments for and against what has been described as a “major social reform”.
Encouraging or assisting suicide is currently against the law in England and Wales, with a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.
MPs voted 330 to 275 — a majority of 55 — to approve Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at second reading.
Fifteen members of the Cabinet, including the PM, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, voted for the Bill.
Meanwhile eight voted against, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Women and Equalities minister Anneliese Dodds.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak voted in support, while Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch voted against.
Nine of Northern Ireland’s 11 sitting MPs voted against the bill. Only SDLP MP Colum Eastwood backed it.
The bill has not yet reached the stage of becoming law but will now move on to further parliamentary scrutiny.
Any future change will not come into force in Northern Ireland as it is a devolved matter.
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rev Dr Richard Murray, and the church’s council for public affairs, Rev Daniel Kane, said it was a “watershed moment” for society.
“We have consistently affirmed the importance and innate dignity of every human life from conception to death as precious and a gift from God,” they said.
“The preservation, protection, and dignity of human life are moral and precious values that cannot, and should not, be altered by legislative change.
“This morning’s vote is a watershed moment for the UK, both culturally and spiritually, which has shifted the value that society places on life itself.”
Supporters of Dignity in Dying listen outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster to the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Pic: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
The Church of Ireland said it does not accept legislating for assisted suicide “is the best way to help those suffering”.
“The only inevitability of such legislation seems to be its progressively widening scope,” it said. “Instead, our governments should work to ensure the best possible palliative care is available to all regardless of their location or financial situation, so that no-one need to fear suffering in death.”
There were poignant scenes in the Commons as the debate unfolded over five hours. DUP MP Carla Lockhart told the Commons about her late father Kenneth, who died in June last year after battling cancer.
“Terminally ill for five years with a painful and aggressive cancer, yet a faith that sustained him and a health service that sought to support, care, comfort and preserve his life,” she said.
“Consultants and medical staff who went over and above to ensure that he got every opportunity to see his family, and particularly his grandchildren, grow up.
“Did I want to see my dad suffer? Absolutely not, but equally those difficult times provided us with an opportunity to care for and express a love for a person whose life we valued.
“The root of my conviction is this — life in all its forms is of inherent worth and value, and while I have come to that conclusion — partly because of my faith — like everyone across the House, I have listened carefully to the evidence in coming to my conclusion on the danger this bill represents.”
Kim Leadbeater joins supporters in Parliament Square in London after hearing the result of the vote in Parliament for her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Pic: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Speaking after the vote, Ms Lockhart said it represents another step towards the nation changing “how we view and value the lives of the our fellow citizens”.
Opposition and pro-change campaigners had gathered outside Parliament from early yesterday, and supporters of the bill wept and hugged each other outside as the news of the vote came through. Meanwhile, one of the bill’s most high-profile supporters, Dame Esther Rantzen, said she is “absolutely thrilled” with the result.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who put forward the bill, has said a new law would give society “a much better approach towards end of life” and said there is “plenty of time to get this right” in the face of concerns it is being rushed through.
People take part in a demonstration at Old Palace Yard in Westminster to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Pic: Yui Mok/PA Wire
While Mr Eastwood voted in favour, SDLP leader Claire Hanna abstained.
Alliance’s Sorcha Eastwood, UUP MP Robin Swann, TUV leader Jim Allister and independent unionist Alex Easton all voted against the bill.
The DUP’s five MPs — Gavin Robinson, Ms Lockhart, Gregory Campbell, Sammy Wilson and Jim Shannon — also voted against. Sinn Fein’s seven MPs did not vote due to the party’s Westminster abstention policy.
Ms Leadbeater has said it would likely be a further two years from then for an assisted dying service to be in place.