ritish Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, voted in favor. And his Health Minister, Wes Streeting, voted against. The vote was to decide on the approval of theTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life). In other words, euthanasia. The controversial nature of the text is evidenced by the fact that the Labour Party, in power, allowed its parliamentarians a free vote on Friday.
This not only explains the division between the Prime Minister and the Health Minister, who ironically is responsible for implementing the text. It also makes it clear that the Law only passed by 23 votes, in a vote in which 605 parliamentarians participated.
The approval of the law in the Westminster Parliament does not mean that the regulation will be implemented immediately. The House of Lords still needs to vote, where there is much more opposition to euthanasia, in addition to other parliamentary procedures and the preparation of the British healthcare system for the new regulation. Starmer's government anticipates that euthanasia - currently a crime - could come into effect as early as 2029, at the end of this term or more likely at the beginning of the next.
The law stipulates that an individual may choose their own death when doctors estimate they have less than six months to live, with the approval of their doctor and a committee consisting of a lawyer, a psychiatrist, and another doctor. It also includes a conscience clause for healthcare personnel who do not wish to carry it out.
The regulation now moves to the House of Lords. Although it is almost certain to be approved, possibly with amendments to strengthen patient protection, some do not rule out what is known as a ping pong, where the Lords reject it and send it back to Parliament, which could then return to the legislative body. Alternatively, opponents may introduce a wave of amendments and insist on debating and voting on each one individually, contrary to the usual practice. This delaying tactic could lead to the end of the session without approval, pushing the decision to spring 2026.