Key facts
- Labour MP Lauren Edwards will reintroduce an assisted dying bill.
- The bill previously passed the House of Commons but was blocked in the House of Lords.
- Supporters may use the Parliament Acts to bypass the Lords if the bill is again obstructed.
- Several prominent MPs who previously backed the bill have expressed reservations about using the Parliament Acts.
- The bill aims to give terminally ill adults the right to end their life with expert agreement.
The assisted dying bill, previously passed by the House of Commons, is set to return to Parliament thanks to Labour MP Lauren Edwards. The legislation, which would grant terminally ill adults the right to end their life with expert approval, was blocked in the House of Lords after opponents submitted over 1,000 amendments, preventing a vote. Edwards, who came second in the private member's bill ballot, aims to give the bill another chance, stating it was prevented from passing by a "minority in the House of Lords to talk it out." She believes it is crucial for Parliament to reach a final decision on end-of-life choice, a measure supported by a large majority of voters.
However, some prominent MPs who initially backed the bill have expressed reservations about using the Parliament Acts, a mechanism that could bypass the Lords' obstruction. Former cabinet ministers Louise Haigh and Jeremy Hunt, along with former Scottish secretary Ian Murray, have indicated they would not support invoking the Parliament Acts. Haigh stated it was "extremely unlikely" the act would be invoked and confirmed her opposition to such attempts. Hunt suggested that bypassing the Lords could "raise ethical questions about the legislation itself" and would likely be challenged. Murray indicated he would continue to monitor the situation and assess the bill on its merits if it returned.
Despite these hesitations, supporters like Sarah Wootton, CEO of Dignity in Dying, have welcomed Edwards' decision, emphasizing the relief it brings to terminally ill individuals and their families. The bill must be presented by MPs this Wednesday, and Edwards is expected to introduce a version identical to the one previously passed by the Commons. If it passes the Commons again, the House of Lords would still have the opportunity to debate and amend it, but could not prevent it from coming to a vote by talking it out.