Former Prime Minister Theresa May has described 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, which would allow terminally ill adults to be helped to end their lives, was passed by MPs in June. Peers now have the opportunity to scrutinise, amend, or reject the legislation, though outright rejection is considered unlikely. May was among around 190 peers scheduled to speak in the two-day debate, which featured emotional arguments on both sides.
Opening the debate, Lord Charlie Falconer urged the Lords to pass the bill, calling it a 'historic occasion'. He argued the current law is 'confused, causes terrible suffering and lacks compassion and safeguards'. Former Labour public health minister Dawn Primarolo supported the bill, stating it is a 'fundamental right of the individual to exercise agency and autonomy over their own lives'. Former Conservative home secretary Kenneth Baker also backed the bill, dismissing calls for improved palliative care as 'totally unrealistic' due to cost.
Opponents, including the Bishop of London Sarah Mullally, argued the bill signals that society believes 'some lives are not worth living'. Crossbench peer Kishwer Falkner, who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, said she previously supported assisted dying but now has concerns about the bill's flaws. The debate continues, with peers expected to vote on amendments in the coming weeks.
