Dear
SPUC supporter,
This is a busy week in the fight against assisted suicide across the UK, and I wanted to let you know where we are both with the Leadbeater Bill in Westminster and the McArthur Bill in Scotland.
Last week, the special select committee formed to hear evidence about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill concluded its proceedings. The Committee did not draw any conclusions, but all of the evidence heard can be seen in their report. If you’d like an easier way to catch up, you can read our highlights of week 1, week 2, and week 3.
Now that the select committee has reported, the normal Committee stage begins. This is where the Bill is examined line by line, and any peer can suggest amendments. Unlike in the Commons, all suggested amendments have to be considered, and members can discuss an issue for as long as they want. The government cannot restrict the subjects under discussion or impose a time limit. The Committee stage will now be held on the following Fridays, with the possibility of additional dates being added later. Currently, the House of Lords will consider the Bill on the following dates:
Friday 14 November
Friday 21 November
Friday 5 December
Friday 12 December
You can watch the proceedings on Parliament TV, and do follow our commentary on our X account!
That’s not all – as I write, the Joint Committee on Human Rights is hearing evidence on the Bill and the potential impact on the Human Rights of disabled people.
In Scotland, Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is being examined by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament. Last week, the Committee began its deliberations with crucial votes on safeguards, palliative care and the criteria for eligibility. On the first day of voting, 14 proposals which would have tightened the law were roundly rejected.
In yesterday’s session, MSPs debated measures to address the deficiencies of the Bill. As with the meeting the previous week, almost all the amendments were rejected out of hand. An attempt to ensure that the vulnerable were not driven to seek a hastened death due to failure in the social care system was soundly defeated. Amendments backed by social workers and psychiatrists were also voted down. Efforts to allow hospices and residential homes to opt out of assisted suicide “services” were characterised as creating barriers to healthcare. The committee’s consideration of the Bill will continue on Tuesday, 18 November.
Contact Lords
Please contact members of the House of Lords, asking them to oppose the Bill. You can find all our resources on our campaign page. You can use our guide to writing to Lords to write a paper letter (always the most impactful option!) or use our webtool.
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For supporters living in Scotland, please contact your MSPs, asking them to oppose the McArthur Bill, and vote against it at Stage 3. We need just eight MSPs to switch their votes in order to defeat the Bill. It is therefore vital that we do all we can to lobby MSPs ahead of the next vote.
All our resources on lobbying MSPs, including a guide to doing so in person, and our online tool to contact them electronically, can be found on our campaign page. You can also order flyers to deliver door to door or distribute at churches.
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Alithea Williams
Public Policy Manager
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