In one of the most emotionally charged votes in recent years, the House of Commons narrowly passed the Assisted Dying Bill earlier this month (20 June 2025) by a majority of just 23 votes (314 to 291).
The result followed months of national debate and parliamentary scrutiny.
Among those voicing concern was Dr Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, who voted against the bill, warning it could disproportionately harm vulnerable and minority groups.
Dr Huq said: “This was not a straightforward decision. A younger me would have been 100% behind this bill. I am very pro body autonomy when it comes to abortion, but ten years of being an MP has exposed me to coercion, duress, the billionaire price of London property, and elder abuse.”
She continued: “In our current healthcare system, ethnic minorities already suffer health inequalities, so I question—why would assisted dying be any different?”
Dr Huq also criticised the limited time allocated for debate, arguing that the issue demands deeper scrutiny.
To highlight her concerns, Dr Huq shared a personal story: “My mum’s GP had a clear contempt for her accented words. At every appointment she would say to her, ‘One question only’. As my mum grew frailer and began to lose the power of speech, she reverted to her mother tongue and was seen by hospital teams as an annoyance, a time waster, and bed blocker.”
Dr Huq’s stance contrasted with that of her fellow Ealing Labour MPs, James Murray (Ealing North) and Deirdre Costigan (Ealing Southall), who both voted in favour of the bill.
The bill now proceeds to the House of Lords for further examination.
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