Esther Rantzen urges Lords not to block assisted dying bill
Dame Esther Rantzen has urged the House of Lords not to block assisted dying legislation.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday, but critics have vowed to continue their resistance in the unelected chamber.
The legislation could face a difficult passage through the Lords, with opponents poised to table amendments to add further restrictions and safeguards to the Bill.
Dame Esther, an assisted dying campaigner, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I don't need to teach the House of Lords how to do their job. They know it very well, and they know that laws are produced by the elected chamber.
'Their job is to scrutinise, to ask questions, but not to oppose.
'So yes, people who are adamantly opposed to this Bill, and they have a perfect right to oppose it, will try and stop it going through the Lords, but the Lords themselves, their duty is to make sure that law is actually created by the elected chamber, which is the House of Commons who have voted this through.'
Dame Esther, who turns 85 on Sunday and has terminal cancer, acknowledged the legislation would probably not become law in time for her to use it and she would have to 'buzz off to Zurich' to use the Dignitas clinic.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the Paralympian and crossbench peer, told BBC Breakfast: 'We're getting ready for it to come to the Lord's and from my personal point of view, about amending it to make it stronger.
'We've been told it's the strongest Bill in the world, but to be honest, it's not very high bar for other legislation.
'So I do think there are a lot more safeguards that could be put in.'
Lord Shinkwin, the Conservative peer and disability rights campaigner, said the narrow Commons majority underlined the need for peers to take a close look at the legislation.
He thinks the House of Lords 'has a duty to expose and to subject this Bill to forensic scrutiny' but he doesn't think 'it's a question of blocking it so much as performing our duty as a revising chamber'.
He added: 'The margin yesterday was so close that many MPs would appreciate the opportunity to look at this again in respect of safeguards as they relate to those who feel vulnerable, whether that's disabled people or older people.'
Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who steered the Bill through the Commons, told the PA news agency she hoped peers would not seek to derail the legislation, which could run out of parliamentary time if it is held up in the Lords.
She said: 'I would be upset to think that anybody was playing games with such an important and such an emotional issue.'
A group of 27 Labour MPs who voted against the legislation said: 'We were elected to represent both of those groups and are still deeply concerned about the risks in this Bill of coercion of the old and discrimination against the disabled, people with anorexia and black, Asian and minority ethnic people, who we know do not receive equitable health care.
'As the Bill moves to the House of Lords, it must receive the scrutiny that it needs. Not about the principles of assisted dying but its application in this deeply flawed Bill.'
Danny Kruger, one of the leading opponents of the Bill, said: 'These are apocalyptic times'.
In a series of posts on X on Friday night, the Conservative MP who is at odds with his mother Dame Prue Leith over the legalisation, accused assisted dying campaigners of being 'militant anti-Christians' who had failed to 'engage with the detail of the Bill'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
London swelters as heatwave hits its peak
The heatwave in London could see temperatures soar to highs of 33C (91F) on week's hot weather, which peaks on the summer solstice, has drawn thousands to the capital's lidos and bathing ponds to cool warnings over heat-related illnesses and remaining safe while swimming in open water have been issued as London Ambulance Service (LAS) predicted a surge in 999 researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London (ICL) released a study that used historical data to forecast the capital could see 129 excess deaths related to this week's hot temperatures. Across England and Wales, excess deaths from Thursday to Sunday are estimated at about 570 lunchtime, the temperature at Heathrow Airport had reached 31C (88F).Researchers said their assessment highlighted how extreme heat posed a growing threat to public health in the UK. Dr Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, lecturer at the Grantham Institute at ICL, said: "Heatwaves are silent killers - people who lose their lives in them typically have pre-existing health conditions and rarely have heat listed as a contributing cause of death."This real-time analysis reveals the hidden toll of heatwaves and we want it to help raise the alarm."He added that heatwaves were an "underappreciated threat" in the UK. Temperatures had been forecast to hit 32C (90F) across the south-east England on Saturday having already reached that level on Thursday in UK Health Security Agency issued an amber heat-health alert covering all of England to warn vulnerable populations of the health risks, including "a rise in deaths". LAS said on 13 June, when temperatures hit 28C (82F), it received 7,000 calls compared with 5,500 on a typically busy service has activated plans to manage high demand, including deploying community response cars, increasing clinicians for phone assessments, and speeding up patient handovers at Crichton, director of 999 operations at LAS, said: "We have been very busy this week and expect to be even busier this weekend as temperatures climb even further. "We would will like to remind Londoners to only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency."He said that older people, the very young and those with pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related issues."Look out for neighbours, family or friends who may need some help and make sure they are able to keep cool during the heat," Mr Crichton added. Dr Lorna Powell, an NHS urgent care doctor in east London, said: "We are seeing cases of heat-related illnesses rising in our urgent care departments."Heat exhaustion can quickly trigger more serious illnesses as dehydration sets in and the cardiovascular system becomes overwhelmed." Andrew Lewington, from London Fire Brigade, told the BBC that 15 people have died so far this year in the capital's waterways. He said there had been an increase of 15% in the number of callouts for water rescue, equating to 12 a week. "People need to understand what lies beneath water and think twice about jumping in," said Mr Lewington.
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why the ‘individual conscience vote' of MPs had its own assisted death last week
Two votes in the Commons split by four days laid the ground for a seismic shift in British social policy making last week one of the most significant in the modern history of Parliament. But while the votes on abortion (Tuesday) and assisted dying (Friday) were officially matters of individual conscience the evidence from both suggests that the UK is now closer than ever to a US-style party politicisation of moral issues. If you vote Labour or Lib Dem you are much more likely to get a pro-choice MP, if you vote Conservative or Reform you are more likely to get a pro-life MP. This is not an accident, it is increasingly by design. How parties voted on life and death On Tuesday the decriminalisation of abortion up to birth amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill laid down by Labour Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi won by 379 to 137. Of this 291 Labour MPs voted in favour and just 25 against while 63 Lib Dems were in favour and just two against. On the other side 92 Tory MPs voted against and just four in favour. Another four abstained by voting in both lobbies. No Reform MPs supported and four voted against. The split is not as stark on Friday's assisted dying vote but nevertheless reveals a trend. Kim Leadbeater 's bill had the support of 224 fellow Labour MPs with 160 against and 56 Lib Dems with 15 against. On the other side the Tories split 92 against to 20 in favour while Reform were three against and two in favour. Kemi Badenoch put a two line whip on the abortion vote rather than allowing a completely free vote. This indicated a party position without the threat of disciplinary action which would come with a three line whip. But, remarkably, after the abortion vote senior Tories were complaining that Ms Badenoch had not withdrawn the whip of the four MPs who voted for decriminalisation. It was different in 1967 The last time the UK saw Parliament vote on such seismic social change was back in 1967 with Liberal MP David Steel 's abortion legislation and Labour MP Leo Abse's Sexual Offences Act which decriminalised homosexuality. In both those cases parties split down the middle on conscience votes which saw the odd alliance of rightwing Tory MP Enoch Powell and leftwing Labour MP Tony Benn coming together to support legalising homosexuality. The Ed Miliband effect The erosion of the conscience vote in the UK has actually come more from a hardening of positions from progressive leftwing parties in Britain and exacerbated by the so-called culture wars. In 2012 Ed Miliband imposed a three-line whip on gay marriage on Labour MPs. LGBTQ+ matters ended there as something of individual conscience for the first time. Then in 2019 former MP Roger Godsiff was dropped as a Labour candidate for supporting parents in his Birmingham constituency who were protesting over primary school children being taught about same-sex relationships. This year we see Reform UK banning LGBTQ+ flags from county halls where they have taken control of the council and attempting to purge councils of diversity, equity and inclusion officers and policies. While abortion officially remained a matter of conscience a comment by the now home secretary Yvette Cooper in 2017 about Jacob Rees-Mogg being unfit to be a party leader because of his views on abortion was enlightening. What has happened over a number of years is that the majority of socially conservative, mostly Catholic tradition in Labour has been removed through selection processes. David Campanale versus the Lib Dems An ongoing legal case involving the Liberal Democrats and one of its former candidates has highlighted an apparent major shift in British politics to the party politicisation of conscience issues. Former BBC journalist David Campanale was kicked out as the candidate for Sutton ahead of the last election because, he claims, of his Christian beliefs. According to documents presented in the case, Luke Taylor, who replaced him as the candidate, is alleged to have claimed that 'the party of past prominent Liberal Democrats with Christian beliefs, such as Shirley Williams and Charles Kennedy, was 'over', and that he and others were building a 'secular party' which would have no place for Christians expecting to 'hold to their religious or conscientious opinions'. Mr Taylor was the teller for the votes in favour of the abortion amendment on Tuesday, who also described the assisted dying vote, which he supported, as a good way to 'neatly bookend the week.' If Mr Campanale wins his case it will for the first time provide evidence that selection is taking place on conscience issues as well as other matters. The Lib Dems have denied the claims and pointed out that their leader Sr Ed Davey goes to church. But the Christian Lib Dems including former deputy leader Simon Hughes have voiced concerns and the party has been condemned by two bishops. and a former Archbishop of Canterbury. Added to that Tim Farron, who voted against abortion and assisted dying last week, was ousted as leader over his Christian beliefs in 2017. During the assisted dying vote a number of supporters of the bill suggested that religious belief had no place in deciding such issues. A real departure from conscience. But a brand of conservatism is emerging in the UK which openly embraces traditional Christian values. Reflecting on the assisted dying vote, Tory MP Danny Kruger, a leading opponent of the bill, said: 'If we are to withstand our enemies, bring our society together, and tame the technium (somehow ensure that human values govern the new age of machines), we are going to need values that are up to the job. 'I don't think humanist atheism or progressive liberalism or whatever the new religion should be called, is up to it. Christianity is. Only Christianity is.' A warning from America In America, the conscience vote rapidly became more party-politicised as a result of the Roe vs Wade abortion ruling in in 1973. Social conservatives gradually began to take over the Republicans on the right and social progressives the Democrats. It has played out ferociously in the selection of Supreme Court justices, who recently in effect overturned Roe v Wade with a conservative majority. The most interesting US development is the way that a man like Donald Trump, previously ambiguous over abortion, has adopted a strong anti-abortion line to please his base. This played out in the 2022 midterms to the detriment of the Republicans with the Democrats using the threat to abortion rights to great effect. But it did little to help Kamala Harris in 2024. What that shows though is that parties with very strong views one way or the other can be elected largely on economic grounds but bring with them a great deal of baggage on conscience issues. After this week some would argue the same thing has happened in the opposite direction in the UK.
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arrest after suspicious device thrown into Belfast Islamic Center during evening prayers
Police are investigating a suspected hate crime after a viable device was thrown through a window of the Belfast Islamic Centre during evening prayer. The incident, which occurred while worshippers were inside, led to the cordoning off of the scene overnight, with the public advised to avoid the area. Local politicians have swiftly condemned the "cowardly" attack, emphasising that individuals should feel secure in their places of worship. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn expressed his deep concern, calling the act "shameful". 'Hatred of this sort has no place in Northern Ireland. If anyone has any information about this, please contact the PSNI,' he said. Police said they attended a security alert on University Road in south Belfast on Friday night after receiving a report at around 10.10pm. A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act and is being held in custody. 'Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm on Friday 20th June that an object had been thrown through a window at a property in the University Road area of the city,' Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said. 'Officers attended and carried out a search of the building where a suspicious device was discovered. 'Ammunition technical officers attended and examined the object which was determined as viable and has since been removed for forensic examination. 'A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the scene and remains in police custody at this time. It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established. 'Detectives from serious crime branch are currently working at pace and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime. 'At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack.' Alliance MLA for South Belfast Paula Bradshaw condemned the attack, which she said did 'not reflect the diversity of south Belfast in 2025'. 'This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time. 'Nevertheless, I am thankful for the intervention of a nearby passer-by and for the work of the police. Those were much more reflective of the true spirit of Belfast, where most people rejoice in diversity. 'I would like to express my solidarity with all those who were evacuated and my thanks to all those who worked to ensure their safety.' Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey said 'no-one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship'. 'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home. 'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.' Green Party councillor Aine Groogan condemned the attack as a 'cowardly and vicious act'. 'I am horrified to hear about the attack on the Islamic Centre during evening prayers,' she said. 'I want to pay tribute to the courageous passer-by who intervened and prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. 'It is terrifying to consider what might have happened and I sincerely hope that all those present are recovering from this traumatic ordeal.' She added: 'This attack is yet another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community. The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society. 'We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt. 'I urge those politicians who continue to hide behind the notion of so-called 'legitimate concerns' around migration to reflect on the consequences of their words. 'Such narratives are as disingenuous as they are dangerous. They help foster a culture in which hate can thrive. Frankly, they should know better.' Anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have information is being asked to contact authorities on 101, quoting reference number 1808 20/06/25. A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form on the PSNI website, or people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
