Assisted Dying Bill Opposition splinters as Peers across the House recognise the need for progress

While some peers continued to push hard-line objections, a growing number of long-standing opposed voices – including Baroness Butler-Sloss and Lord Carlile – called for much-needed progress on the Bill.

As today’s debate continued, tensions within the opposition camp grew. Baroness Fox, a vocal critic of the Bill, argued forcefully today against an amendment tabled by Baroness Berger, also opposed, to restrict eligibility to those aged over 25, calling such a move an act of “state paternalism”. Responding for the Government, Baroness Merron warned that the proposal could be discriminatory and risk breaching the human rights of 18–24-year-olds. 

Meanwhile, Lord Carlile and Baroness Butler-Sloss distanced themselves from Lord Moylan’s attempts to tighten residency requirements, further highlighting a split between the “ultras” determined to halt reform at any cost and the pragmatists willing to engage constructively on the Bill. 

The debate wrapped up with a warning from Chief Whip Lord Kennedy, who signalled his disappointment that not enough progress had been made during the debate. Kennedy committed to exploring further options to progress the Bill through Committee Stage.

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying said:

“Today’s debate has made one thing unmistakably clear: opponents of assisted dying are no longer speaking with one voice. We are seeing a real and growing divide between those who want to stall  progress altogether and those who recognise that Parliament must have a full and fair debate on the merits of the Bill, not allow it to become stuck in a logjam of procedural manoeuvring. 

“When peers such as Baroness Butler-Sloss, Lord Carlile and others – long-standing opponents of assisted dying – state openly that the Bill should be allowed to move forward procedurally, it highlights growing recognition that the current situation cannot continue. Otherwise there are serious risks to the reputation of the House of Lords, Parliament as a whole and to democracy itself. It’s time to use that momentum to deliver meaningful reform that protects choice, compassion and robust safeguards in equal measure. A growing number of Peers from across the House and all sides of the debate rightly recognise that it is deeply disrespectful to waste time when that is a luxury dying people don’t have.”

*ENDS*

For more information/requests please contact Tom Steen, Media & Campaigns Officer at tom.steen@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07356135578