‘A tragic day’: campaigners react after MPs vote against legalising assisted dying in England and Wales

But lawmakers who opposed bill counter it was ‘unsafe and unworkable’ amid concerns proposed law had many flaws

As it became clear that MPs had voted against the assisted dying bill, campaigners who had fought for a change in the law looked broken. Standing outside the Houses of Parliament, many wearing pink caps and T-shirts with slogans such as “Give me choice over my death”, they held on to each other for comfort. Some were in tears, others stood in shocked silence.

Lauren Edwards, who sponsored the bill that would have allowed terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live to seek medical assistance to end their lives, said its failure to pass was disappointing “ for the many thousands of terminally ill people and their loved ones who were given hope when the Commons voted for this bill last year”.