The Assisted Dying Bill is being debated in the Lords today for its Second Reading. A record 190 peers have signed up to speak over the two-day debate…
Baroness May is leading the opposition, warning the “Assisted Suicide Bill” will be used as “a cover up for mistakes made in hospital” and sends the message that “some lives are less worth living than others.” She told peers:
“I do not believe that these safeguards in this bill will prevent people from being pressured to end their lives sometimes for the benefit of others. In default of a coroner’s report, there is a danger that this could be used as a cover up. A cover up for mistakes made in hospital or for perhaps a hospital illness, infection which has led to an increased likelihood of death. It is an assisted suicide bill. But this bill effectively says suicide is okay.”
The debate will continue next Friday. If the Bill is defeated in a Lords vote – unlikely, but possible – it would fall entirely and have to start afresh in the next Parliament. Labour’s vast majority being used to drive through a major piece of legislation with no electoral mandate here…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”