All posts tagged: Lords

Assisted Dying Bill falls in the House of Lords – Humanists UK

Assisted Dying Bill falls in the House of Lords – Humanists UK

Published by Sam Flores

The Assisted Dying Bill has failed in the House of Lords due to a deliberate filibuster by a small number of peers opposed to the principle of assisted dying. Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision deplore the use of dirty tactics on a Bill of this importance and urge MPs to bring the Bill back in the next parliamentary session. Humanists UK’s Chief Executive Andrew Copson said: ‘The actions of a small group of unelected peers on this Bill have been deplorable. It’s a stain on our democracy and a slap in the face to hundreds of terminally ill people and their families, who were given hope when MPs voted in favour last year. ‘The elected chamber must bring back this Bill. Dying people want choice and compassion at the end of their lives. The status quo leaves people dying in pain with three awful options: fly to Switzerland, refuse food and treatment, or suffer. Those options are unacceptable.’ Graham Winyard, Board Member of My Death, My Decision, said: ‘I’m equal parts outraged and …

Lords’ assisted dying debate transcript is longer than War and Peace – Filibuster clear and obvious – Humanists UK

Lords’ assisted dying debate transcript is longer than War and Peace – Filibuster clear and obvious – Humanists UK

Published by Sam Flores

Lord Harper, who has spoken more words than the contents of Orwell’s Animal Farm, speaking in a debate. © House of Lords 2025 / photography by Annabel Moeller Humanists UK and My Death My Decision’s analysis of the Assisted Dying Bill’s House of Lords Committee Stage reveals: The transcript of the Committee Stage debate is longer than War and Peace Lord Harper has spoken more words than the contents of Orwell’s Animal Farm Baroness Finlay has spoken longer than the runtime of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Extended Edition Opponents of the Bill have spoken for 55 hours, and spoken 462,749 words, twice as long as Moby-Dick and three-quarters of the total debate 43 UK citizens have died at Dignitas since the first reading of the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Lords on 23 June 2025. The House of Lords Committee stage of the debate has surpassed the word count of Leo Tolstoy’s epic novel War and Peace. Over 75 hours of debate, totalling 607,077 words, have led …

If Euphoria’s Dueling Drug Lords Weren’t At War, They Might Be a Couple

If Euphoria’s Dueling Drug Lords Weren’t At War, They Might Be a Couple

Published by Sam Flores

Vanity Fair: What was it like to go toe to toe on Euphoria? Martha Kelly: Adewale is a really sweet person. It didn’t feel intense except for one of the shots—but even then, I couldn’t get scared deep inside because I know how sweet he is. I love that dichotomy. He plays a ruthlessly brutal person, and yet when he comes on the set, the cast and crew’s faces light up. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje: Martha and the rest of the cast had set the bar so high. I’d always loved Martha’s depiction of Laurie—it was so deadpan and chilling, but unforced. It’s the most unsuspecting villain. I’d said to Sam Levinson at one point, if these two characters were not at war, they would probably be a couple because they seem to have so much in common. There was almost a begrudging respect for her because he feels like he brought her into the game, but she’s obviously aspired and achieved her own little empire that now is challenging mine. Martha, when did you find out …

House of Lords Employee Retires After 48 Years In Parliament

House of Lords Employee Retires After 48 Years In Parliament

Published by Sam Flores

Shaun Connor (Photography by Dinendra Haria) 7 min read1 hr The Printed Paper Office’s Shaun Connor is retiring after an extraordinary 48 years of service to Parliament. He tells Noah Vickers about his varied career and the ‘privilege’ of working in Westminster Shaun Connor was just 18 when he landed his first job in the Palace of Westminster in January 1978, but his first day started with disappointment. Born and raised on the Churchill Gardens estate in nearby Pimlico, Connor had never visited Parliament before. He had been hired only a few days previously, having spotted an advert in the labour exchange on Chadwick Street. “They used to have cards with the vacancies on them,” he says. “I saw this card and all it said on it was ‘Clerical officer required in local SW1 area’.” What he hadn’t been told was what exactly this work would involve. On his first day, his line manager explained he’d be working in the Records Office, spread across 12 floors in the Victoria Tower. “I …

UK House Of Lords Rams Through ‘Abortion Up To Birth’ Law; Only 1% Of Brits Approve

UK House Of Lords Rams Through ‘Abortion Up To Birth’ Law; Only 1% Of Brits Approve

Published by Jenni Sidey

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, The unelected House of Lords in the UK has just voted to embed extreme abortion provisions into law, decriminalising terminations right up to birth. This comes despite clear polling evidence that only 1% of the British public supports the move, exposing a ruling class utterly detached from the people it claims to serve. The change forms part of Clause 208 in the Crime and Policing Bill. It removes criminal liability for a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy at any stage, meaning self-induced abortions — even late-term — carry no legal consequences. The disconnect could not be starker. As GB News reported: “Just 1% of the public agree with this… and yet it has now made it into law.”  ‘Just 1% of the public agree with this… and yet it has now made it into law.’@miriam_cates and @toryboypierce rail against peers in the House of Lords backing abortions up until birth. pic.twitter.com/C2ZG1fwlXP — GB News (@GBNEWS) March 19, 2026 Former MEP Annunziata Rees-Mogg reacted on the same programme: “This …

U.K. Parliament abolishes hereditary lords : NPR

U.K. Parliament abolishes hereditary lords : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Charles Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon, pictured outside his family seat of Powderham Castle in Devon, England. The Earl is one of the 92 remaining hereditary peers in the upper house of the U.K. Parliament, the House of Lords. Under new legislation, they are losing their right to inherit these seats. Susannah Ireland for NPR hide caption toggle caption Susannah Ireland for NPR POWDERHAM CASTLE, Devon, England — In his 20s, Charles Courtenay left the drizzly English countryside where he grew up, and moved to California. He met his first wife in a bar in Las Vegas, and didn’t tell her much about his background. He just took her home to England, about two months into dating, and drove up the driveway of his family home — a 12th century castle. Beyond the moat, there’s a sign at the entrance that reads, “Long Live the Earl” — as in, Courtenay. Because the man who learned to surf at L.A.’s Topanga Beach, and insists “just call me Charlie,” is also the 19th Earl of Devon. …

Lords vote to uphold decriminalisation of abortion and secure historic pardons for women – Humanists UK

Lords vote to uphold decriminalisation of abortion and secure historic pardons for women – Humanists UK

Published by Sam Flores

Last night, the House of Lords voted to back abortion reform passed by MPs last year which will take abortion out of the English and Welsh criminal law for women in relation to their own pregnancies, voted in support of an amendment to pardon women who have been prosecuted under abortion criminal law, and fought off other anti-abortion amendments designed to limit choice and access. Humanists UK welcomes this as a milestone development for reproductive rights and applauds peers for championing and upholding dignity and autonomy.  What was voted on? In a series of votes late last night, peers voted to retain Clause 208 in the Crime and Policing Bill after anti-abortion peers tried to overturn the clause that was added to the Bill by MPs following a historic and decisive (379-137) vote to treat abortion as a healthcare issue rather than a criminal one.  In a further victory for reproductive rights, peers adopted an amendment from Baroness Thornton, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) to pardon women who currently have police …

Britain’s Parliament boots last hereditary Lords after 700 years : NPR

Britain’s Parliament boots last hereditary Lords after 700 years : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

King Charles III reads the King’s Speech in July 2024 as Queen Camilla sits beside him during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords in London. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption toggle caption Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP LONDON — Centuries of British political tradition will end within weeks after Parliament voted to remove hereditary aristocrats from the unelected House of Lords. On Tuesday night members of the upper chamber dropped objections to legislation passed by the House of Commons ousting dozens of dukes, earls and viscounts who inherited seats in Parliament along with their aristocratic titles. Government minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the change put an end to “an archaic and undemocratic principle.” “Our parliament should always be a place where talents are recognized and merit counts,” he said. “It should never be a gallery of old boys’ networks, nor a place where titles, many of which were handed out centuries ago, hold power over the will of the people.” The House of Lords plays an important role in Britain’s parliamentary democracy, scrutinizing legislation passed by …

Esther Ranstzen Calls For Abolition Of House Of Lords

Esther Ranstzen Calls For Abolition Of House Of Lords

Published by Sam Flores

Esther Rantzen has called for the abolition of the House of Lords after it emerged a bill legalising assisted dying in England and Wales is set to run out of time. The former TV presenter, who has terminal lung cancer, said it was “a disgrace” that unelected peers were able to effectively block the will of MPs. The House of Commons voted 314-291 last June to allow the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to proceed to third reading. It is a private member’s bill brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. However, it has become bogged down in the Lords as peers opposed to the legislation tabled more than 1,000 amendments to it. Sky News reported that ministers are unwilling to allow more parliamentary time to be devoted to the bill, meaning it will not become law. Rantzen, who persuaded Keir Starmer to back her calls for parliament to be given a fresh say on legalising assisted dying, told the broadcaster it was “absolute blatant sabotage” by the Lords. She said: “A few …

Keir Starmer engulfed by fresh House of Lords row – everything you need to know | Politics | News

Keir Starmer engulfed by fresh House of Lords row – everything you need to know | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

Keir Starmer is facing a fresh nightmare (Image: Getty) Keir Starmer engulfed by fresh peerage row – everything you need to know Sir Keir Starmer said his former communications chief “did not give a full account” of his ties to a paedophile councillor when he was sent to the House of Lords. Downing Street declined to commit to stripping Lord Matthew Doyle of his peerage, arguing this could prejudice a Labour investigation into the appointment. Lord Doyle has apologised after having the Labour whip removed for campaigning for Sean Morton in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children, saying he believed his assertions of innocence, but the councillor later admitted having the images. Opposition parties accused the Prime Minister of a “catastrophic lack of judgment” and said he had “rolled the same pitch” as he had with former ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson by claiming he had not been told of his appointees’ relationships with sex offenders. Lord Doyle, in his vetting, did not disclose the fact he campaigned for Morton after the councillor …