MPs hit out at bid to ‘railroad’ assisted dying law through Parliament as they warn about ‘unsafe’ legislation ahead of its return to Commons
MPs have criticised what they describe as an attempt to "railroad" the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through Parliament, as the assisted dying legislation prepares for its Second Reading in the Commons on Friday. The Bill, reintroduced by Labour's Lauren Edwards after falling in the House of Lords last session, would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death. Critics fear supporters could use the Parliament Acts to force it through the Lords this time, bypassing further scrutiny.
Labour MP Ashley Dalton, who has terminal cancer, branded the legislation "unsafe and unworkable" and warned vulnerable people could feel coerced into assisted dying. Fellow Labour MP Jess Asato disputed claims that only a "small minority" of peers blocked the Bill previously, noting over 60 peers laid amendments, over 90 signed them, and more than 140 spoke in debate, while the Bill's Lords sponsor rejected 99% of proposed amendments. Edwards, writing in The Guardian, argued assisted dying enjoys substantial public and cross-party support and said she would ask MPs to send the Bill back to the Lords for further amendment if needed.
In short
- Assisted dying Bill returns to Commons for Second Reading on Friday
- Opponents accuse supporters of trying to bypass Lords scrutiny
- Bill would let terminally ill adults with under six months to live seek assisted death
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that terminally ill adults who meet strict eligibility criteria should be able to choose the timing and manner of their death, preserving dignity and personal autonomy when facing unbearable decline. They point to public and cross-party support and say the Bill can be scrutinised and amended as it proceeds, without allowing delay to extinguish a choice many people consider important.
The case against
Critics argue that the Bill may not adequately protect people who could feel pressure to end their lives because of illness, dependence or fear of burdening others. They say the volume of proposed amendments and the rejection of most of them raise concerns about whether safeguards have received sufficient scrutiny, and that using the Parliament Acts to overcome the Lords could weaken confidence in the law’s safety.
Explained simply
Assisted dying means providing help for a person to end their life, under rules set by law. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would let terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live apply for an assisted death.
The Bill was introduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards and would need approval from both the Commons and the Lords to become law. MPs and peers have debated whether its safeguards are sufficient, including how to protect people who might feel pressured to apply.
The Parliament Acts can, in some circumstances, allow the Commons to pass legislation without the Lords’ agreement. That possibility matters because critics say the Bill needs further scrutiny, while supporters point to public and cross-party backing for a change in the law.