Front pages in the UK on Saturday were dominated by the step taken by MPs toward legalising assisted dying in England and Wales by backing a bill that would give some terminally ill people the right to end their own lives.
The Guardian splashed with the news, describing it as a “historic vote” that paves the way for assisted dying, along with a photo of emotional supporters of the bill embracing.
The Daily Express says “Now future generations will be spared ordeals we suffer”, quoting terminally ill veteran broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen.
The Mirror headlined with “MPs back assisted dying” while also noting the bill had its opponents too, pointing out there was both “joy and sorrow” as the “controversial bill passes first major hurdle”.
In a similar vein, the Mail cast the MPs’ vote as “a leap into the unknown”, while also describing the bill as “controversial” and noting the relatively narrow margin by which it passed.
The Independent took a similar approach, describing it as a “historic step into unknown”. It opted to show protesters, rather than supporters of the bill, in its main front-page photo.
The Times notes that while the prime minister, Keir Starmer, may have voted in favour of the bill, ministers have been warned to remain neutral as details are hammered out in the months to come.
i leads with “Assisted dying set to become legal within three years after historic vote”, along with an accompanying graphic breaking down the ayes and the noes.
The Financial Times has “MPs back bill to legalise assisted dying after emotional debate in Commons”.
The Telegraph also has the story below the fold, but doesn’t mince its words. “Our nation’s moral foundations have shifted: the state can now take a life,” it says.
