Today, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill received its First Reading in the House of Commons, officially marking the return of the bill in Westminster after it was passed by MPs but undemocratically filibustered by a small number of peers in the House of Lords. It was re-introduced by Lauren Edwards MP, and seeks to give terminally ill, mentally competent adults the right to a safe, legal, and compassionate assisted death. Humanists UK welcomes the return of the Bill, and urges MPs and peers to support its passage.
Lauren Edwards MP came second in the Private Members’ Bill ballot, which gives individual politicians an opportunity to change the law. Today was the Presentation of Bills, when the 20 members drawn in the ballot formally introduced their legislation at First Reading, and saw Lauren bring back the Assisted Dying Bill, having announced her intentions to do so earlier this week.
The First Reading of a Bill is the formal introduction of the Bill into Parliament and takes place without debate or a vote. The Bill is expected to have its Second Reading in September, where MPs will debate and vote on the Bill.
MPs previously voted in support of the Assisted Dying Bill twice, however the Bill failed in the Lords in April due to the actions of a small minority of peers who filibustered the legislation.
About the filibuster of the Assisted Dying Bill:
The Terminally Ill Adults Bill failed in the House of Lords after nearly 1,300 changes to the Bill were proposed, a record for any parliamentary Bill. Amendments have included a pregnancy test for all applicants, including men, a one-year holiday ban for applicants, and an unworkable requirement for half a dozen GP visits.
We have identified several instances of peers being explicitly clear that they were trying to block the Bill by means other than it being voted down.
The Bill fell because it didn’t complete all its parliamentary stages by the end of the session.
About the Parliament Act
The Parliament Act means that if the same Bill is approved twice by the elected House of Commons, it does not require the House of Lords’ approval, and can become law.
The Bill still goes through every key phase, including the House of Lords again. The only thing the Parliament Act does is ensure that the elected politicians have the final say, not the unelected Lords. The House of Lords can still debate, suggest changes, and vote on the Bill. The only thing it cannot do is block it again. If the Bill is filibustered in the House of Lords again, or if it is voted down, or they suggest changes that wreck the Bill that the House of Commons then reject, the Bill would still become law.
Nathan Stilwell, spokesperson for Humanists UK, said:
‘We welcome the Assisted Dying Bill’s return, and thank Lauren for bringing back the Bill to offer choice and compassion to terminally ill people and their loved ones.
‘MPs have previously backed this Bill, which was undemocratically blocked by a small minority of peers in the House of Lords. This presents a much-needed opportunity to uphold democracy and offer crucial choice to those in unthinkable circumstances.
‘We look forward to supporting Lauren as she navigates this Bill through Parliament a second time.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).
Humanists UK is making the following photos available to the media to use – credit to Simona Sermont/Humanists UK – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Humanists UK has people and their loved ones who would be affected by this change available for the press.
If you have been affected by the current assisted dying legislation, and want to use your story to support a change in the law, please email campaigns@humanists.uk.
Humanists defend the right of each individual to live by their own personal values, and the freedom to make decisions about their own life so long as this does not result in harm to others. Humanists do not share the attitudes to death and dying held by some religious believers, in particular that the manner and time of death are for a deity to decide, and that interference in the course of nature is unacceptable. We firmly uphold the right to life but we recognise that this right carries with it the right of each individual to make their own judgement about whether their life should be prolonged in the face of pointless suffering.
We recognise that any assisted dying law must contain strong safeguards and the international evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal shows that safeguards can be effective. We also believe that the choice of assisted dying should not be considered an alternative to palliative care, but should be offered together as in many other countries.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
Humanists UK is a member of the Assisted Dying Coalition, along with My Death, My Decision, Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, and End of Life Choices Jersey.