Latest news with #PrivateMember'sBill
New Statesman
16-05-2025
- Health
- New Statesman
The assisted dying debate takes a sour turn
`illustration by Getty If there was a single moment that encapsulated the latest stage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, it was surely when MPs cleared the lobby to vote – not on any of the amendments that had been argued about over the gruelling four and a half hours, but on whether or not to vote on them at all. In this great act of meta-democracy, MPs determined that they would in fact proceed to a vote. By then, there was time to consider just two amendments.. The mood on this sunny Westminster Friday could not have been more different from when MPs voted on the second reading of Kim Leadbeater's Private Member's Bill on assisted dying back in November. Back then, the question was a matter of principle, and the atmosphere was one of gracious respect and emotive compassion. MPs chose to progress the legislation by 330 votes to 275 – many of them, to quote the words of Liberal Democrat Layla Moran, on the basis that they 'want to keep talking about the issues'. Today was about hammering out the details. Although, as quickly became apparent, those details are far from being hammered out. The bill's passage through committee stage has been contentious, marred by accusations on everything from the ideological make-up of the committee to the witnesses called to the nature of the amendments accepted – about 150, out of over 500 proposed. Committee members, most notably the Labour MP Naz Shah, have openly voiced their misgivings on procedural grounds. That was the main thrust of today's debate. 'This process is flawed, fundamentally flawed,' a visibly furious Shah told the House, to the loudest chorus of affirmative here-heres of the day. 'This is not how we make legislation.' The practicalities were debated, of course. On the agenda today were amendments regarding provision (or not) for patients suffering from eating disorders, how the decision-making process would work in relation to the mental capacity act, whether to allow doctors to bring up assisted dying with terminally ill patients who have not mentioned it themselves, and how to identify and prevent situations of coercive control. Florence Eshalomi, one of the most powerful speakers during first reading, gave another passionate warning regarding the potential impact on minority communities who are already fearful of the medical establishment. Mother of the House Diane Abbott nodded along. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, while neutral on the principle, said this week that it could not support the legislation in its current form. This intervention was repeatedly cited today. So too was the controversial decision to remove the safeguard of sign-off from a High Court judge in favour of a panel of experts. It was argued that the version of the bill currently before MPs was weaker rather than safer than November's. But if the motif running through the second reading debate was of MPs putting aside party differences to examine the philosophical, ethical and legal issues. Today the frequent refrain of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker was: 'We are very short of time'. MPs were first requested to keep their contributions to under 15 minutes; as the hours ticked on, this was shortened to five. Again and again speakers declined to take points of order, on the basis that they had no time. The vast majority of MPs wishing to speak were denied the opportunity. In November Kieran Mullan said in his closing remarks for the opposition that the debate had represented 'this House at the very best'. He was challenged in his statement today as to whether he still believed that. His reflection that 'We are where we are' sums up the feelings of many exhausted MPs. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Perhaps the sourness of today's performance reflects the messy reality of legislating on literal issues of life and death. There are those on both sides of the chamber who believe a private members bill was the wrong vehicle for a question of this gravity – equally, others believe the government could have done more to smooth the bill's passage. But there is also a view that, whatever the process, there was always going to come a crunch point when lofty sentiments about democratic debate dissolved into the inevitable tug-of-war between opposing camps. Time was always going to run out at some point. No one likes to see how the sausage gets made. In the end, only two amendments were voted on: the first, put forward by Leadbeater herself, regarding guarantees that doctors would not be forced to provide assisted dying, and the second, put forward by opponent of the bill Rebecca Paul, on extending this protection to institutions wanting to opt out. The former passed; the latter – considered the clearest indication from today about the bill's future – failed by majority of 279 to 243. When it comes back before the House on 13 June, it looks likely there will still be a majority of MPs in favour. [See more: Keir Starmer can rewrite the history of Brexit] Related
ITV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Reform UK's newest MP says she will back the assisted dying bill
The new MP for Runcorn and Helsby has confirmed she will vote in favor of assisted dying when the bill returns to parliament for its third reading. Sarah Pochin was only elected on the 2nd of May, so did not get the chance to vote the last time MPs had their say on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. If passed, it would give people diagnosed with a terminal illness and less than six months to live the right to medical assistance to end their life, provided they meet certain criteria. Speaking on ITV's Granada Debate, Sarah said "It is a very emotive subject, and I know that not everyone in my constituency is going to we were elected to give our opinions, I've considered all the facts". The MP, who is a former magistrate, says that she's confident "there are enough checks and balances in place within the legislation" - with a panel of experts assessing each application to have an assisted death, made up of a senior lawyer, psychiatrist, and social worker. Sarah Pochin was elected in a by-election after the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury. Mr Amesbury had voted against the bill. With a majority of 55 at first reading, campaigners on both sides will be watching parliament closely to see whether recent amendments to the bill during committee stage will be great enough to sway MPs either way. One MP who is considering changing their vote is the Conservative member for Fylde Andrew Snowden, who is concerned about the parliamentary process of using a Private Member's Bill to pass such a transformative piece of legislation. Mr Snowden says concerns raised by medical professionals recently have also given him pause for thought: Also speaking on the Granada Debate, the Labour MP for High Peak Jon Pearce believes there is still a number of MPs who are undecided on the bill. "I voted in principle in favour of the bill, but i'm one of a small group of MPs who voted in favour but are going to look at the final version - it's a huge job"
Dublin Live
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Dublin Live
Dublin driving test centre reaches 'disgraceful' 43-week wait
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Learner drivers are currently facing a 43-week wait for a test in Tallaght. As of the end of April, the backlog at the test centre had risen to 20,442. This is up 1,555 from the end of 2024. The waiting time for a test at the centre is now 43 weeks, compared to 26 at the end of last year. Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward said the waiting times are "shocking" and "disgraceful". "This is far beyond the statutory minimum of 10 weeks," he said. 'It is unacceptable that waiting times have been allowed to increase so much over such a short period of time. 'I have repeatedly raised this issue with government calling for an additional driving test centre to be opened in South Dublin. Even though the RSA have said that they will be placing a new test centre in South Dublin , there is no urgency. 'In February Sinn Féin brought forward a Private Member's Bill, offering a range of measures to tackle the huge backlog. While the government did not oppose our motion, they certainly have ignored it ever since allowing waiting times and numbers to skyrocket." Mr Ward said there needs to be "urgency from both the government and the RSA" on the issue. "People rely on being able to drive for their education, employment, access to healthcare and everything in between," he said. 'I am calling on the government to urgently implement Sinn Féin's proposals which include increased resourcing to meet demand, expediting and increasing the recruitment of driving test instructors, and plugging the gaps in driving test centre locations. 'The government has a long way to go to getting this right. The new test centre in South Dublin will be much needed step in the right direction.' Dublin Live has contacted the Road Safety Authority for comment. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Under-16 social media ban: Three pain points as Australia grapples with how to implement it
The situation across the Tasman offers some pointers for our Government as it contemplates a social media ban for under-16s, which first appeared on the radar as a Private Member's Bill and has now been adopted in undefined terms as part of its official programme of work. Australia passed legislation
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Government in 'early stages' of examining energy drink ban for under 18s
The Government is in the 'early stages' of considering a ban on energy drinks for children and under-18s. The programme for Government commits that it will 'explore restrictions on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks, including a ban on their sale to children'. The Seanad is due to debate a motion from Independent Senator Sharon Keoghan calling for the 'Restriction on Sale of Stimulant Drinks to Children' on Wednesday. The Cabinet decided on Tuesday to delay that bill for 18 months. A Government spokesman said that the coalition was in the 'early stages' of considering its own restrictions on the sale of high caffeine energy drinks, including a ban on their sale to children. He added: 'A body of work will need to be carried out to identify any public health concerns with regard to energy drink consumption in Ireland and to identify appropriate policy responses. 'It is too early at this stage to consider draft legislation as set out in this Private Member's Bill.' In 2024, the sale of energy drinks containing caffeine and taurine was legally banned in Poland for minors. In 2014, Lithuania became the first country in the world to ban energy drinks for minors.
