‘Stalled Progress’ on Assisted Dying: Is Democracy Being Frustrated?

The Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who is championing the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill aimed at legalizing assisted dying in England and Wales, has expressed her concerns regarding members of the House of Lords who seem to be attempting to delay the bill’s progress. Approaching a critical juncture, Leadbeater highlighted that the number of proposed changes has surged to over 1,000 amendments, raising worries about the bill’s timely passage. While the bill was successfully passed by MPs in a significant vote back in June, it requires approval from both Houses before becoming law.

Despite passing the first stage in the Lords in September, the bill’s fate remains uncertain as it must reconcile the differing views of MPs and peers before the current parliamentary session ends in the spring. Leadbeater pointed out the slow progress in discussions surrounding amendments, especially in a committee where less than 30 amendments have been discussed during reserved sessions, indicating an urgent need for more debating time.

Critics, including former lawmakers and judges, argue for redrafting to better protect vulnerable individuals and address potential coercion surrounding assisted dying. Notably, the Lords’ deliberation has included extensive discussions over safeguards meant to ensure the integrity of those choosing this path, but Leadbeater has found some contributions to be repetitive or previously addressed.

Reaffirming her belief in the necessity of legislative change, Leadbeater urged the Lords to respect democratic decisions, emphasizing that this crucial topic was not a feature of the major parties’ manifestos during last year’s elections and is treated as a matter of conscience in Parliament. Amidst this backdrop, the government’s stance has limited additional debating time, although they are open to exploring alternative solutions to facilitate discussion on the amendments.

As the clock ticks down on this critical piece of legislation, the outcome of the bill remains uncertain, with the potential for another setback akin to the 2014 attempt to legalize assisted dying which failed in the Lords.