Former Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned the assisted dying bill as a 'licence to kill', warning it puts vulnerable people at risk. Speaking during the first House of Lords debate on the legislation for England and Wales, May argued that individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or mental health conditions could feel pressured to end their lives. She added that legalising assisted dying 'reinforces the dangerous notion that some lives are less worth living than others'.
The bill, introduced as a private member's bill by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, was approved by MPs in June. It would allow terminally ill adults to be helped to end their lives. Peers now have the opportunity to debate, amend, or reject the legislation, though outright rejection is considered unlikely.
Opening the debate, Lord Charlie Falconer described it as a 'historic occasion' and argued that the current law is 'confused, causes terrible suffering and lacks compassion and safeguards'. He was supported by former Labour public health minister Dawn Primarolo, who said denying the right to end one's life in dignity is 'not being compassionate'. Former Conservative home secretary Kenneth Baker also backed the bill, stating that relying solely on palliative care is 'totally unrealistic' due to the cost.
Opponents, including the Bishop of London Sarah Mullally, argued that the bill signals society believes 'some lives are not worth living'. Crossbench peer Kishwer Falkner, who previously supported assisted dying, expressed concerns about the bill's flaws despite her personal experience with cancer. The debate is scheduled to continue over two days, with around 190 peers expected to speak.
