Left image – Wikimedia Commons: Official portrait of Baroness May of Maidenhead
The future of the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill seems uncertain, as Peer after Peer stood up to oppose it on the first day of debate in the House of Lords.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which narrowly based through the House of Commons in June, reached it’s Second Reading in the Lords today. So many peers put their names down to speak that the authorities were forced to grant a second day of debate, to be held next Friday, 19 September.
This first day of debate showed clearly that the Bill will not receive a quick rubber stamping in the Lords, as a large majority of speakers expressed concerns or outright opposed the Bill. Alithea Williams, SPUC’s Public Policy, calculated that 28 peers supported the Bill, with 60 leaning against it. Only three did not give a clear indication which side they came down on.
Peers spoke from many angles. Baroness Monckton of of Dallington Forest spoke of her fears for people with learning difficulties, such as her daughter Domenica, who has Down’s syndrome. She condemned the campaign group My Death My Decision, who sent a pamphlet to peers urging that no provisions be made for families to “interfere” with someone’s decision to seek death. Former
Former Prime Minister Theresa May made a strong speech, one of many peers referring to the fact that this week is Suicide Prevention week. “Suicide is wrong,” she said. “This Bill effectively says suicide is ok. What message does this send to society? Suicide is wrong. This Bill is wrong, and in my opinion, it should not pass.”
Many peers also defended the right of the Lords to amend, or if necessary reject the Bill – a position confirmed by two select committees in the last few days.
Alithea Williams said: “It was very encouraging to see how many peers opposed this bill, and expressed their intention to scrutinise it properly. Many referred to the large numbers of letters and emails they have been receiving expressing concerns about the Bill, and I really want to thank all our supporters who have been part of that effort. There’s still a long way to go, but today we can take heart that our efforts really do make a difference.
