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Legislative bills

Assisted Dying Bill Faces Staunch Opposition in the House of Lords

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Dame Esther Rantzen has spoken out against the potential obstruction of the Assisted Dying Bill by the House of Lords, urging them not to impede the progress of the legislation. The bill, which aimed to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with dignity, passed the Commons with a majority of 23 votes but faces significant opposition in the Lords. Welsh Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has expressed hope that the Lords will propose amendments to "make it stronger," while Conservative Lord Shinkwin emphasized the importance of scrutiny by the House of Lords.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Assisted Dying Bill passed the Commons with a majority of 23 votes, but faces potential opposition in the House of Lords.
  • Dame Esther Rantzen, a vocal supporter of the bill, urged the Lords not to obstruct the progress of the legislation, emphasizing the role of the elected chamber in creating laws.
  • Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson hopes to see amendments proposed in the Lords to "make it stronger," while Conservative Lord Shinkwin emphasized the importance of scrutiny.
  • A faction of 27 Labour MPs expressed concerns about the risks of coercion and discrimination in the current bill, calling for more scrutiny.
  • Conservative MP Danny Kruger described proponents of assisted dying as "militant anti-Christians" and criticized them for lacking engagement with the bill's detail.

Statistics:

  • 23 votes: The majority by which the Assisted Dying Bill passed the Commons.
  • 27 Labour MPs: Number of MPs who expressed concerns about the risks in the current bill.
  • 85 years old: Dame Esther Rantzen's age, who is living with terminal cancer and may have to travel to Zurich's Dignitas clinic instead of relying on the UK's assisted dying legislation.
  • 100%: Thomas More Law Centre, estimated that one in 23 terminally ill women are being told to end their lives at home, against their wishes, according to a study of more than 100 cases.

Sources:

  • BBC Radio 4's Today programme
  • BBC Breakfast
  • PA news agency
  • Twitter
  • PA Archive/PA Images

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