Assisted dying returns to parliament as MP urges peers to 'finish the job'

A new legislative effort to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales has been initiated, with a Member of Parliament vowing to "finish the job." Lauren Edwards, the Labour MP for Rochester and Strood, plans to reintroduce a bill identical to one that previously passed the House of Commons but failed to clear the House of Lords.

Last year, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would have permitted adults with a prognosis of six months or less to end their lives under specific safeguards, was stalled in the House of Lords. Opponents raised concerns that the bill contained flaws that could lead to vulnerable individuals being pressured into ending their lives prematurely.

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finish the job

By presenting the exact same legislation, Edwards is signaling a potential use of rarely invoked parliamentary powers. These powers could allow the bill to become law without the Lords' approval if it passes the Commons in two consecutive sessions. This approach, however, has drawn criticism from opponents who fear it bypasses legitimate concerns raised by medical and disability organizations.

The government maintains a neutral stance, though some cabinet ministers have expressed opposition. The leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has previously promised parliamentary time for such a debate, aligning with calls from campaigners like Dame Esther Rantzen. The potential implications of this legislative push continue to be debated, with significant attention on the role of the House of Lords and the use of parliamentary procedure.

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Laws passed in the House of Commons are then refined by the House of Lords but they don't have the opportunity to block them. It's perfectly reasonable for us to ask the House of Lords to finish the job.