Questions being asked why the #AssistedDying Bill ran out of time in @UKHouseofLords? Fairly simple - the Bill was badly drafted & the real concerns raised by professionals, which we, as Members translated into amendments to address the flaws, were met with “No, I don’t agree” by the Bill’s sponsor @LordCFalconer each week during committee stage. Such a complex Bill should never be a PMB - the resources of government are necessary for full pre-legislative scrutiny. I write as somebody not opposed to the concept, but opposed to the lack of safeguards in this Bill. Hence, because of their intransigence, they lost me. I doubt I was alone.
Image from Craig Mackinlay (@cmackinlay)

Apr 25, 2026 · 8:39 AM UTC

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I believe your post is the view of the many who on principle support the right to chose to die with dignity, however, as I do, they also believe that the choice to die must have adequate safeguards to ensure the vulnerable do not become victims of the legislation, particularly as those most likely to ‘choose’ or be coerced will be the most vulnerable in society. As a society we have a moral duty to protect the sick and vulnerable. The sponsors of this Bill failed in their duty to do so, worse they appeared to go out of their way not to. These were not the actions of responsible MPs and Lords, these were the actions of activists captured by the cause. Their behaviour since losing the Bill reinforces that view. Thank god for those Lords who opposed this Bill. If it comes back it must do so as a government Bill with the backing of professionals in the field. The sponsors of this Bill have probably set back the cause in their rush to push forward with an unsafe piece of legislation.
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Exactly - instead of a narrow path in exceptional cases with huge safeguards the promoters sought to make this a standard treatment option to be offered by every tier of the NHS, verging on a default option in certain cases. It was a grotesque overreach. They are responsible.
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Falconer has shown himself to be a very average parliamentarian, of limited intellect and much lower emotional intelligence. Its now clear that his finest days, to which alone he owes his place in the Lords, as Blair's flatmate and then nonce adjacent Mandelson, are well behind him.
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If the Labour Party want this Bill to be resurrected they need to put it in a manifesto let the people have a say
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Same here. The callous intransigence, and the view that poverty, loneliness, lack of palliative care or feeling a burden (potentially due to coercion) were perfectly acceptable reasons for euthanasia meant that it had to fail.
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For some of those parties on the list, will there ever be a time when they accept an assisted dying law, brought in to help those with terminal illnesses? I think not, therefore are they opposed to this bill because it's badly done, or generally opposed to assisted dying?
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So, wouldn’t the honourable thing to do have been to take the matter to a vote rather than allow it to be talked out by a group of peers for which #AssistedDying would be unacceptable in ANY circumstances? They weren’t interested in making the Bill ‘better’…only in destroying it. This issue won’t go away; the public won’t let it, elected MPs won’t let it.
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Just look at Canada. All started well and within years it's gone to areas never conceived of. Wheelchair? Depressed? We can help you(save us money long term)! In a nationalised health system, rationing of resources has to happen and this is great for the balance sheet
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you were not. I used to support assisted dying until I watched the debates, it completely changed my mind. @kimleadbeater the bill is demonic, I'm so glad if failed. I've watched the outcome from Canada's MAID too, it hasn't stopped at the 'terminally ill'. No surprise.
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Thank you
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Wrong. The Assisted Dying Bill was defeated by those who relentlessly orchestrated fear, thereby destroying any possibility of rational debate and the unelected House of Lords sabotaged its progress even though it had been passed by the elected House of Commons.
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