The proposed legislation to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has failed after running out of time in the House of Lords, prompting accusations of a "denial of democracy" from supporters and relief from opponents who branded the bill "hopelessly flawed."
Bill's Journey Ends
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which had been progressing through Parliament for 18 months, fell on Friday. While it had passed two votes in the House of Commons, it did not face a vote in the Lords, succumbing to a backlog of over 1,200 amendments, more than 800 of which were tabled by seven peers.
Lord Charlie Falconer, who steered the bill through the upper chamber, expressed despondency that the legislation had not failed on its merits but due to procedural wrangling. He argued that a small minority had refused to cooperate to ensure proportionate debate.
Supporters' Reaction
Former Conservative cabinet minister Lord Baker of Dorking accused opponents of a "prolonged filibuster," calling the situation a "denial of democracy." Kim Leadbeater, the bill's sponsor in the Commons, watched proceedings from the gallery and vowed to reintroduce the bill in the next parliamentary session. Campaigners suggested they could use the Parliament Act to bypass Lords opposition if the bill is selected again.
Lord Falconer told peers, "It is clear that the issue will not go away, nor should it, until it is resolved. Parliament can and must come to a decision."
Opponents' Concerns
Opponents, including Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, argued the bill failed because of "too many gaps" and misunderstandings about what a law change would entail. Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, a former EHRC commissioner with spinal muscular atrophy, said disabled people feared unequal access to care and subtle coercion.
Conservative former deputy prime minister Baroness Therese Coffey warned that choice for some was being prioritised over concern for coercion of others. Dame Sarah Mullally, the Church of England's top bishop and a former chief nurse, said if the bill returns, "we need to do our work differently."
Political Context
The government remained neutral, with MPs voting on conscience. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer voted in favour, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch voted against. Former Tory treasurer Lord Farmer claimed Labour MPs felt intimidated into supporting the bill, citing pressure from Number 10. A Number 10 spokesperson reiterated the government's neutrality.
Ms Badenoch described the bill as "hopelessly flawed" and opposed its reintroduction, suggesting the government had used a private members' bill to push its agenda.
Campaigners' Response
Dame Esther Rantzen, a terminally ill broadcaster and Childline founder, accused peers of "condemning generations of terminally ill patients to die in agony" and conspiring to sabotage democracy. Charities working in palliative care urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to use the national conversation on death to improve end-of-life care, rather than let the momentum go to waste.
