British MPs vote in favour of assisted dying

A debate that had shown the best of Westminster—passionate and thoughtful—ended in a fittingly respectful manner. There were no loud cheers when, on the afternoon of November 29th, the Speaker of the House of Commons announced that MPs had voted in favour of legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. It is, for this newspaper and other supporters of the bill, a moment of celebration nonetheless. Lawmakers, who were free to follow their consciences rather than party lines, have taken a big step towards a monumental social reform.