Terminally Ill (Adults End of Life) Bill From ‘Right to Life’:-
Last week, the special select committee formed to hear evidence about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill concluded its proceedings. The Committee did not draw any conclusions, but all of the evidence heard can be seen in their report. If you’d like an easier way to catch up, you can read our highlights of week 1, week 2, and week 3. Now that the select committee has reported, the normal Committee stage begins. This is where the Bill is examined line by line, and any peer can suggest amendments. Unlike in the Commons, all suggested amendments have to be considered, and members can discuss an issue for as long as they want. The government cannot restrict the subjects under discussion or impose a time limit. The Committee stage will now be held on the following Fridays, with the possibility of additional dates being added later. Currently, the House of Lords will consider the Bill on the following dates: Friday 1th & 21st November and Friday 5th & 12th December.
Incredibly, almost 1,000 amendments have been tabled to the Bill! This is already close to the most amendments ever tabled to any Bill in UK history and, with more likely to come, it is on track to break that record.
This sheer number of amendments demonstrates that Peers, including those who are, in principle, supportive of assisted suicide, are increasingly identifying how flawed this dangerous Bill is. It must never become law.
That’s not all – as I write, the Joint Committee on Human Rights is hearing evidence on the Bill and the potential impact on the Human Rights of disabled people.
Please contact members of the House of Lords, asking them to oppose the Bill. You can find all our resources on our campaign page. You can use our guide to writing to Lords to write a paper letter (always the most impactful option!) or use our webtool. See:-
Right To Life UK: Pro-life Advocacy on Abortion & Euthanasia | Positive Change on Life Issues