Lords v democracy

On assisted dying, a few unelected peers are denying people dignity and choice

- 

Last week Baroness Fox of Buckley said it was demoralising to be told she was “wasting her time” over the assisted dying bill. But it is Baroness Fox and a few others who are wasting the House of Lords’ time, the House of Commons’ time, and the country’s time.

The assisted dying bill, properly known as the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill, would only ever be used by a small number of people. But it would give reassurance for many that, if faced with a terminal diagnosis and the prospect of a painful and harrowing death, they would have a choice. It is a choice supported by a majority of citizens and MPs but opposed by an unelected minority in the House of Lords. Their current complaint is that the Parliament Act may be used to force the bill into law. If so, Britain should be grateful for the Parliament Act. The alternative is to allow a handful of peers to derail the most important and compassionate piece of social legislation of recent decades, and in the process to stand in the way of democracy.