MP warns Parliament must pass assisted dying bill or it will return

Created at 10 Jul · 12:00 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant

IN SHORT

An MP has warned that the assisted dying bill must be passed by Parliament, or it will repeatedly return. The bill, which would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives, was previously blocked by the House of Lords.

Key Numbers

six monthsprognosis for assisted dying eligibility

1,000amendments submitted by opponents in House of Lords

seven timesParliament Act used in last century

12MPs changing view would cause bill to fall

16 yearsMP Ian Murray's tenure

Who's Involved

Lauren Edwards

Labour MP considering using Parliament Act for assisted dying bill

Ashley Dalton

Labour MP concerned about divisive and flawed assisted dying bill

Louise Haigh

Former cabinet minister unlikely to support Parliament Act for bill

Ian Murray

Former Scottish secretary monitoring assisted dying bill closely

Jeremy Hunt

Former cabinet minister would not favour invoking Parliament Act

Lord Carlile of Berriew

Peer willing to work constructively on assisted dying bill

Wes Streeting

Former health secretary who voiced opposition to the bill

Sir Keir Starmer

Leader who voted in favour of assisted dying bill

Andy Burnham

Potential Prime Minister who previously abstained on assisted dying bill

Dame Esther Rantzen

Advocate for assisted dying legislation

Kemi Badenoch

Conservative leader who voted against the bill

↳ Why This Matters

The potential use of the Parliament Act to pass the assisted dying bill highlights a significant constitutional clash between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and raises profound ethical questions about end-of-life choices and the legislative process in the UK.

Key facts

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill aims to allow terminally ill adults over 18, with a prognosis of six months or less, to be assisted in ending their life.
The bill was previously blocked in the House of Lords due to extensive amendments and time constraints.
MP Lauren Edwards is considering using the Parliament Act to bypass the Lords' objections if the bill is reintroduced.
The Parliament Act allows a bill to pass without the Lords' consent if it is approved identically by the House of Commons in two successive parliamentary sessions.
Concerns have been raised by various groups, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and disability charities, regarding the bill's safeguards and potential impact.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would permit adults over 18 with a prognosis of six months or less to seek assistance in ending their life, is facing renewed parliamentary debate. MP Lauren Edwards is considering employing the Parliament Act, a rarely used legislative tool, to overcome potential objections from the House of Lords, which previously blocked the bill. This act allows a bill to become law if it is passed identically by the House of Commons in two consecutive parliamentary sessions, effectively bypassing the Lords' veto.

Edwards stated she is adhering to parliamentary rules and urged the House of Lords to 'finish the job' by refining the legislation, indicating openness to sensible amendments. However, some MPs, including Labour's Ashley Dalton, have expressed deep concern, labeling the bill divisive and flawed, and warning it could grant unchecked powers over life and death decisions. They argue that parliamentary time should be focused on issues like the cost of living and the NHS.

Prominent supporters of the bill, such as former ministers Louise Haigh and Jeremy Hunt, have indicated they would not support invoking the Parliament Act to force the bill through, citing ethical concerns and the unlikelihood of its success. Ian Murray, another former minister, stated he would continue to monitor the bill's progress and assess it based on its merits, safeguards, and constituent views. The government has officially remained neutral, though some cabinet members have voiced opposition. The previous attempt to pass the bill narrowly passed the House of Commons in June 2025.

Frequently asked questions

It is a proposed law that would allow adults over 18, who are expected to die within six months, to be given help to end their own life, subject to safeguards.

The bill was blocked in the House of Lords after opponents submitted over 1,000 amendments, preventing it from being put to a vote before the parliamentary session ended.

The Parliament Act is a legislative mechanism that allows a bill to become law without the consent of the House of Lords if it is passed identically by the House of Commons in two consecutive parliamentary sessions.

Concerns have been raised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, various disability charities, hospices, and some MPs, including Ashley Dalton.

What Happens Next

01The House of Commons may reintroduce the assisted dying bill.

02The House of Lords will decide whether to pass amendments or block the bill again.

03If the bill is reintroduced and blocked again, the House of Commons may consider invoking the Parliament Act.

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How It Developed

A proposed law, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, would allow adults over 18 expected to die within six months to be helped to end their life.

The bill was previously blocked by the House of Lords after opponents submitted over 1,000 amendments.

MP Lauren Edwards is considering using the Parliament Act to override the House of Lords' objections if the bill is reintroduced.

The Parliament Act allows a bill to become law without the Lords' approval if it is passed identically by the Commons in two consecutive parliamentary sessions.

Opponents have raised concerns about the bill's robustness and potential ethical implications, with some disability charities and hospices expressing major concerns.

Labour MP Ashley Dalton expressed concern, stating the bill is divisive and flawed, and would grant sweeping powers over life and death.

Some MPs who previously backed the bill, including Louise Haigh and Jeremy Hunt, have indicated they would not support invoking the Parliament Acts.

Ian Murray stated he would monitor the situation closely and assess the bill on its merits if it returned.

Sources

Pass assisted dying bill or it will come back again and again, warns MPSky News · UK

Assisted dying returns to Parliament as MP urges peers to 'finish the ...bbc.co.uk

MPs who backed assisted dying bill don't expect it to return via act ...theguardian.com

Labour MP Lauren Edwards to bring assisted dying bill back to the ...theguardian.com