US EditionAssisted dying bill 'no hope' of passing unless Lords change approach, warns peer
Supporters warn the bill has no chance this year unless peers relent and consider a rare Parliament Act to override Lords' filibustering and objections.
- On Thursday, Lord Charlie Falconer warned the Terminally Ill Adults Bill has no hope of passing this year without a fundamental change in the House of Lords' approach, adding he and Kim Leadbeater MP have sought advice on next steps.
- The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, which passed the Commons last year, is under detailed scrutiny in the House of Lords after more than 1,000 amendments were tabled, and Falconer wrote to peers on Wednesday outlining key amendments.
- The Parliament Act allows the Commons to bypass the Lords if an identical Private Members' Bill passes in a later session, but it has been used only seven times since 1911, with procedural hurdles including reliance on ballots or government time.
- Opponents in the House of Lords say the Bill is 'dangerously flawed' and could pressure vulnerable people, while supporters and backers in the Commons emphasize public support and families depending on Parliament.
- Supporters are exploring invoking the Parliament Act as a fallback, saying sponsors could override the House of Lords if the Bill is not approved before the King's Speech, but such tactics may provoke an almighty row including Labour backbenchers.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Evening Standard
Assisted dying backers could seek to bypass Lords block with Parliament Act
Sponsors of the legislation believe the Parliament Act could be invoked to override objections from peers.
'Outrageous': Assisted Dying Critics Attack 'unprecedented' Plan To Force Through Bill
It comes after the backer in the Lords admitted using the procedure would be “unprecedented” but justified to ensure the will of elected MPs is not blocked. Crossbench peer Baroness Ilora Finlay told Sky News: “I think that’s outrageous, I really do”. Politics Hub: Follow the latest updates Baroness Finlay, a doctor, professor of palliative care and former president of the Royal Society of Medicine, said “trying to hammer the bill through with a…
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