Outline:
The Lords Debate the Assisted Dying Bill
The House of Lords has begun debating the Assisted Dying Bill, which passed through Parliament in June. This is a significant moment as the peers engage in discussions on a controversial proposal that has sparked intense debate across the country.
Lord Forsyth shared his personal story, explaining how his father’s death influenced his shift in opinion regarding the law. He described the debate as a “historic occasion” as he introduced the draft bill for the second reading stage. However, not everyone is supportive. Theresa May, an opponent of the proposed law, called it a “licence to kill Bill.”
This development comes after the House of Commons approved the proposal in a historic vote in November. Since then, several changes have been made to the bill. Despite these modifications, the core objective remains: to grant terminally ill individuals in England and Wales the right to choose to end their lives.
Kim Leadbeater MP, who introduced the bill in the Commons last year, emphasized that this is the only such legislation in the world with “three layers of scrutiny.” It requires sign-off from two doctors and a High Court judge, offering what she calls the “safest choice” for mentally competent adults at the end of their lives. She stressed that the bill is designed to protect against coercion, a major concern for opponents.
The bill passed its second reading in November with a clear majority of 330 votes to 275, although many MPs indicated they could change their decision depending on future amendments. In June, the bill received a slim majority of just 23 votes, with 314 in favor and 291 against. A similar bill passed its initial stage in the Scottish Parliament in May.
What Have the Lords Said About Assisted Dying?
Today marks the start of two days of debate on the bill, giving peers the opportunity to voice their opinions. Emotional arguments have already emerged as the details are being discussed. Lord Falconer argued that the current law is “confused, causes terrible suffering and lacks compassion and safeguards.” He highlighted the agony faced by terminally ill people who must end their lives in secret or travel abroad to the Dignitas clinic alone because a loved one accompanying them could face criminal charges for helping them.
He admitted that his father told him he was “to blame” for blocking laws that would allow him to die as he wished. As a Christian, he reflected deeply on this and concluded that his father was right.
However, the proposal continues to face strong opposition. Baroness May argued that the bill could be used as a cover-up for mistakes made in hospitals or for hospital-acquired illnesses leading to increased likelihood of death. She referred to it as “the license to kill Bill” and sees it as an assisted suicide measure.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a Paralympian and disabled rights campaigner, accused the bill of blurring the line between assisted dying and euthanasia. Others urged those opposing the bill to look beyond their own interests and listen to public opinion on this sensitive issue.
What Happens Next with Assisted Dying?
Unusually, the Lords will debate the bill over two days—today and on September 19. While no vote is expected today or next week, the debates provide 190 peers a chance to express their views. Later this autumn, the Lords will vote on any amendments, which could delay the process. If the Lords are not satisfied with certain details, they can make amendments. If Leadbeater disagrees, she could try to override them in the Commons again, and the bill would return to the Lords for further consideration.
What Is Assisted Dying?
The definition and language surrounding assisted dying vary depending on perspective. Pro-change campaigners like Dignity in Dying argue that it allows terminally ill individuals to control their death if their suffering becomes unbearable. They believe that, alongside good care, terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death.
On the other hand, groups like Care Not Killing use terms such as “assisted suicide” and “euthanasia” to refer to the practice, emphasizing the importance of promoting better palliative care rather than changing the law. They warn that the disabled, elderly, sick, or depressed could be especially at risk.
What Is the Current Law?
Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, while it is not a specific criminal offense, assisting someone’s death can lead to charges of murder or other offenses.
What Has Been Said About Assisted Dying So Far?
Dame Esther Rantzen, the founder of Childline, who is terminally ill with cancer, revealed she is making arrangements to travel to the Swiss clinic Dignitas alone. She pleaded with the peers ahead of the debate to “give us terminally ill patients the hope, the confidence, the choice that if life gets unbearable, they can ask for help.”
Not all MPs support the law. Conservative MP Rebecca Paul opposed the bill, stating it would harm more people than it would help. Labour MP Jess Asato criticized Dame Rantzen for suggesting those against the bill had “undeclared personal religious beliefs.”
Who Will Qualify for the New Bill?
Only terminally ill adults with less than six months to live who have a settled wish to end their lives would be eligible under the new law. An amendment by Leadbeater increased the time the government could take to implement assisted dying from two years to four years. The bill also makes it illegal for someone to persuade a person through dishonesty, coercion, or pressure to declare they want to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer drugs to die.
Has the Issue Been Voted on at Westminster Before?
Not for almost a decade. An Assisted Dying Bill, which would have allowed some terminally ill adults to ask for medical help to end their lives, went before the Commons in 2015 and was rejected by MPs. There was also a bill proposed in the House of Lords during the 2021/2022 session, which reached a second reading in the chamber, while a Westminster Hall debate on assisted dying took place in July 2022.
Which Political Figures Have Said They Would Vote for Assisted Dying?
Friday’s vote has been classified as a “free vote,” allowing MPs to vote according to their conscience. While many are still undecided, a slim majority of Labour MPs are expected to support the issue, with prominent figures signaling their intent to do so.
IN FAVOUR OF ASSISTED DYING
– Keir Starmer – The PM has stayed largely silent on the issue but is expected to vote in favor.
– Ed Miliband – The Energy Secretary has spoken strongly in favor of the bill.
– Lisa Nandy – The Culture Secretary supports the bill.
– David Cameron – The former PM has changed his mind and now supports the bill.
AGAINST ASSISTED DYING
– Wes Streeting – The Health Secretary opposes the bill, citing concerns about vulnerable people.
– Kemi Badenoch – The Tory leader has concerns about rushing the bill through Parliament.
– Nigel Farage – The Reform leader is against the bill.
– Ed Davey – The Lib Dem leader is minded to vote against the bill.
What Are the Views of the Public?
Public opinion varies. Research by the Policy Institute and the Complex Life and Death Decisions group at King’s College London (KCL) found that almost two-thirds of people in England and Wales want assisted dying to be legalised for terminally ill adults in the next five years. However, some expressed willingness to change their minds if they felt someone had been pressured into choosing assisted death or had made the choice due to lack of access to care. Overall, 63% supported legalising assisted dying, while 20% opposed it.