MPs are set to debate a contentious assisted dying bill in the House of Commons tomorrow, a pivotal moment for advocates seeking to pass the legislation, potentially overriding the House of Lords. The bill, reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, follows a previous attempt that stalled in April.
Supporters of the bill are reportedly aiming to utilize the 'Parliament Act' to ensure its passage, a mechanism that allows certain bills to receive royal assent without the approval of the House of Lords if passed by the Commons over two successive parliamentary sessions without amendment. This approach has raised concerns among some parliamentarians about a potential constitutional conflict.
In a letter to MPs, Gareth Snell, who voted in favor of assisted dying, and Meg Hillier, who opposed it, described the move to force the bill through without agreed amendments as an 'extraordinary risk.' They stated that while the bill's proposers acted in good faith, forcing an identical bill back without previous amendments risks a 'constitutional showdown' over an issue requiring more careful consideration.
The political landscape for the bill has also shifted with a change in Prime Minister, potentially impacting support. Andy Burnham, who succeeded Sir Keir Starmer, has expressed reservations about the timing of the debate, suggesting it should not proceed before palliative and social care issues are addressed.
Recent polling indicates significant public agreement with this sentiment. A poll by Whitestone Insight found that 82% of respondents believe Parliament should first ensure adequate end-of-life care before debating assisted dying. Furthermore, 74% agreed that current pressures on the NHS and social care funding could influence individuals to consider assisted suicide earlier than they might otherwise. Nearly two-thirds of those polled also agreed that funds should not be diverted from the NHS budget to finance assisted suicide services.
Labour MP Adam Jogee criticized the bill as 'bad' and 'dangerous,' urging a focus on improving hospice and palliative care. The campaign group Right to Life, which commissioned the poll, warned that MPs can no longer rely on the House of Lords to amend the bill's perceived flaws.
Tomorrow's debate is thus considered a critical juncture. If the bill passes the Commons, and subsequently the Lords fail to pass it within the session, the Speaker can certify it for royal assent, making it highly probable that the bill could become law in its current form without further peer approval.