Kim Leadbeater’s bill passes by 23 votes
This afternoon, the assisted suicide bill has passed through the House of Commons with a final vote of 314 in favour, 291 against.
It’s a devastating day for life in our nation. But it’s far from over.
The bill will now continue to the House of Lords who will have the opportunity to amend the bill. But many MPs are still voting based on a misplaced hope that this bill can be improved and made safe.
That cannot happen.
There will be more chances to protect life by opposing this bill in the months ahead but we also need to see the bigger picture.
The Lord Jesus Christ is still King of Kings. He remains undefeated and ruling with justice and righteousness over the UK and all the nations.
With the abortion decriminalisation vote on Tuesday as well as today’s vote, God has allowed us to receive some of the judgment we deserve.
But as the darkness grows, the light shines even brighter.
The Christian Concern community – along with many other groups – has prayed and acted with great energy and commitment, speaking and standing for life.
Thank you for every prayer prayed, every message shared and every email sent.
God sees it all. He is already working among us, and we trust that – by his grace – this nation will turn back to him.
‘A new movement’
Our chief executive Andrea Williams commented after the vote:
“When Kim Leadbeater’s bill was first launched, it seemed impossible for it to be stopped. The more MPs looked at the bill, the more they realised its fatal flaws – but tragically not enough opposed it.
“With more time, MPs would see that this bill has clearly inadequate safeguards. We must now pray that the House of Lords miraculously exposes this bill for what it is – a wholly unworkable piece of legislation.
“Good law always protects life. No sane or civilised parliament passes a law that give permission to kill.
“This should not be treated as a conscience issue. It is assisting a person to kill themselves. We need political parties and leaders to rise up who will speak clearly on this point and refuse to implement a state suicide service.
“This week has been a terrible one for the value of human life in our laws. But it may ultimately provide the moral clarity we need. Taking innocent human life through abortion and assisted suicide is dead wrong and we will redouble our efforts to end it.
“We will build safe hospitals and hospices. There will be a new movement which will continue to advocate for the value of life, to expose the flaws of this bill, and to campaign for a culture and laws that protect and support life instead of destroying it.”