A bill that would have legalized assisted dying in England and Wales has failed to become law after it ran out of parliamentary time in the House of Lords, prompting accusations of procedural obstruction from its supporters.
Bill's Demise
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which had been under consideration for 18 months, fell on Friday. Although it passed two votes in the House of Commons, it did not proceed to a vote in the Lords. Supporters blame what they call procedural wrangling for the legislation's failure.
Lord Charlie Falconer, who guided the bill through the upper chamber, expressed despondency, stating that the bill, which he described as important to many, did not fail on its merits but due to procedural issues.
Proposed Provisions
The bill would have allowed adults with a life expectancy of fewer than six months to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval from two doctors and an expert panel. Over 1,200 amendments were proposed in the Lords, with more than 800 tabled by seven peers.
Falconer criticized the process as horrible, asserting that the bill's failure was not due to a lack of time but because a small minority refused to cooperate to ensure proportionate debate.
Opposition Arguments
Opponents, including former Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, argued that the bill had too many gaps and that there was misunderstanding about what people might gain. Others branded the legislation unsafe and unworkable, citing concerns about coercion of vulnerable individuals and insufficient safeguards for disabled people.
Baroness Jane Campbell, who has spinal muscular atrophy, said disabled people feared unequal access to care and subtle coercion. Former deputy prime minister Therese Coffey expressed worry that choice for some was being prioritized over concern for coercion of others.
Supporters' Reaction
Supporters, including Kim Leadbeater, who sponsored the bill in the Commons, vowed to reintroduce it in the next parliamentary session. Leadbeater watched from the gallery as the bill fell, shaking her head. Campaigners have suggested using the Parliament Act, which allows Commons-backed bills to become law without Lords approval if rejected twice, to bypass opposition.
Conservative former minister Lord Kenneth Baker accused opponents of a prolonged filibuster, calling the situation a denial of democracy. Falconer noted that terminally ill people and their relatives were bewildered by peers' behavior.
