Peers have voted for a motion in support of more time for the Assisted Dying Bill to pass through the House of Lords. The fate of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which successfully passed the Commons last year, was in jeopardy after over 1,100 amendments were put forward, and the debate progressed at a glacial pace. Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision welcome this extra time for scrutiny.
What happens next?
Now that the motion to give more time has been passed, peers will enter into private negotiations about how and when this time will be given. This may involve peers starting early or staying late for the debates.
Lord Falconer and Baroness Smith of Basildon, the Leader of the House of Lords, both ruled out additional government time.
The debate will continue tomorrow, with more Committee Stage debate on possible amendments to the Bill. In the first four debates, representing nearly 16 hours, peers only debated 10 out of 84 groups of amendments, and more amendments continue to be tabled.
Filibustering in the Lords
Peers have been accused of attempting to filibuster the Assisted Dying Bill, essentially causing it to fail by proposing an unreasonable number of amendments and deliberately making unnecessary speeches to time it out. We’ve identified several instances of peers being explicitly clear that they are trying to block the Bill by means other than it being voted down.
Seven of the most vocal opponents to the Bill have put forward over 600 amendments between them. Amendments have included a pregnancy test for all applicants, including men, a one-year holiday ban for applicants and an unworkable requirement for half a dozen GP visits.
The Bill must pass all parliamentary stages before the end of the parliamentary session, expected in Spring 2026, or it fails.
Richy Thompson, Director of Human Rights and Advocacy at Humanists UK, said:
‘With the House having voted to allow additional time for scrutiny, there is now no justification for further obstruction. The House of Lords plays a vital role in refining legislation, but resorting to procedural tactics to simply run down the clock risks eroding both democratic accountability and public trust.’
Dave Sowry, Board Member of My Death, My Decision, said:
‘If peers wrecked the assisted dying Bill through dirty tactics and procedural shenanigans, they would also be wrecking their own reputation, and potentially their future. We welcome this motion being passed in the House of Lords. The public cares very deeply about assisted dying, and while it must get the scrutiny it needs, now is the time for the House of Lords to work together on this Bill and return it to the Commons.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan@humanists.uk or phone 07456 200033. (media only)
Humanists UK is making the following photos available to the media to use – credit to Simona Sermont/Humanists UK – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision have people and their loved ones who would be affected by this change available for the press.
If you have been affected by the current assisted dying legislation, and want to use your story to support a change in the law, please email campaigns@humanists.uk.
Humanists defend the right of each individual to live by their own personal values, and the freedom to make decisions about their own life so long as this does not result in harm to others. Humanists do not share the attitudes to death and dying held by some religious believers, in particular that the manner and time of death are for a deity to decide, and that interference in the course of nature is unacceptable. We firmly uphold the right to life but we recognise that this right carries with it the right of each individual to make their own judgement about whether their life should be prolonged in the face of pointless suffering.
We recognise that any assisted dying law must contain strong safeguards and the international evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal shows that safeguards can be effective. We also believe that the choice of assisted dying should not be considered an alternative to palliative care, but should be offered together as in many other countries.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision are both members of the Assisted Dying Coalition, along with Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, and End of Life Choices Jersey.