𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

We are now closer than ever before to achieving safe, compassionate law change that will give real choice to dying people. But progress now risks being stalled by a small but vocal group of opponents in the House of Lords, where the Assisted Dying Bill must pass if it is to become law.

A decisive majority of MPs has twice backed the Bill. The Prime Minister has reaffirmed the primacy of the Commons over the unelected Lords.

The public is clear: they want world-class end-of-life care and, alongside it, the option of assisted dying with strict safeguards.

The task before Peers is not to thwart that mandate, but to scrutinise the Bill properly and allow it to progress. Yet a handful of hardline opponents have chosen a different path.

A fringe group of just eight unelected Peers have tabled two-thirds of the 1,100+ amendments, an unprecedented attempt to run down the clock rather than improve the law.

This has caused mounting frustration across the House, including among Peers who oppose assisted dying but believe the Lords’ reputation as a revising chamber, not a blocking chamber, must be upheld.

Talk of a “sweepstake” between opponents over how little progress can be made illustrates a strategy to block the bill by any means necessary.

Meanwhile, dying people are watching from the public gallery as time is wasted that they do not have. Some are forced to suffer against their wishes, some travel abroad for assistance, others take desperate measures alone at home. The status quo is neither compassionate nor safe.

Progress elsewhere shows what is possible. New York State is on the cusp of legalisation, joining states across America, virtually all of Australia and the entirety of New Zealand. Uruguay joined other Latin American nations in legalising the option last October. France debates its own Bill this month, with laws already in place right across Europe.

Across the UK & Crown Dependencies, Isle of Man has passed a law that is now awaiting Royal Assent, Jersey’s draft bill returns for debate the week after next, whilst Scotland’s bill is approaching the final stretch.

Just yesterday, the UK Government revealed an extra £25 million funding boost for hospices – in addition to the £100m announcement last December – with Care Minister Stephen Kinnock explicit that the Assisted Dying Bill has proved a catalyst for positive change.

As we have seen around the world, excellent palliative care and the choice of assisted dying are partners, not rivals.

As the Bill returns to the House of Lords this week, Peers of all viewpoints increasingly recognise that proper progress must be made. The remaining parliamentary time must be used sensibly and fairly.

The reputation of Parliament is at stake, but most importantly so are the dignity, wishes and safety of dying people.

– Sarah Wootton is chief executive of Dignity in Dying