Lawmakers in the U.K. have passed a controversial bill that would legalize assisted dying for terminally ill people deemed to be in the last months of their life.

MPs have voted to pass the Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill, allowing the assisted dying legislation to pass through to the next stages of scrutiny and amendment. The bill was passed by a majority of 55 votes.

MPs' vote to back the legalisation of assisted dying in England and Wales is historic. It means such a law has moved a step closer - but it is only one step along a lengthy path likely to last many months.