Time Ticks Away: Lords Debate Controversial Assisted Dying Bill Amid Calls for Extended Sessions

Peers in the House of Lords are urging for additional time to debate an assisted dying bill that has garnered both support and opposition. Advocates for the bill are concerned that it might run out of time to complete its parliamentary stages before the current session ends in early May. The bill, which allows terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to seek assistance in dying, has already passed through the House of Commons but now faces scrutiny in the House of Lords.

Supporters of the bill emphasize the need for more time due to over 1,000 amendments being proposed, raising fears that these could serve as a tactic to delay or block the legislation altogether. However, opponents argue that even with additional discussions, the safety of the bill remains concerning, particularly regarding the vulnerable population it could affect.

Lord Falconer, who champions the bill in the Lords, has put forward the request for more time, cautioning that failure to resolve the issue could harm the reputation of the House. He, along with other proponents like Baroness Butler-Sloss, recognizes the urgency of addressing the bill despite personal reservations about its contents. In contrast, Conservative peer Lord Shinkwin, who lives with a disability, believes that more time will not remedy the fundamental flaws of the legislation.

Negotiations among peers about when to schedule additional debate sessions are set to take place, with an option on the table to extend discussions on Fridays, though this would conflict with Jewish observance of Shabbat. The ongoing contention reflects broader debates about end-of-life choices, ethical considerations, and legislative processes within the British Parliament. As the clock ticks down, the fate of the bill hangs in the balance, with urgent calls from both supporters and detractors to address its merits before time runs out.