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The long, seemingly unstoppable, progress of Lord Joffe’s “Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill” Bill, into and out of a Select Committee, etc., was due to the Government’s tacit support. It was assisted by the claim that it was “not done” to divide the House of Lords on a Private Member’s Bill.
On 12th May Lord Carlile of Berriew, summing up against it, said “… the threat that the provision will be brought back if it is defeated today intimidates neither me nor anyone of my view not one jot. I urge the House to ignore it.” He then quoted the Clerk of the Parliaments: “ ‘It is unusual, but not improper, to vote against the Second Reading provided notice has been given on the order paper.’ The Bill was defeated by 148 votes to 100.
The stiffening of opposition was due to the CARE NOT KILLING Alliance, formed on January 31st 2006 by Hospice doctors and pro-life groups, with support from Church leaders. Peers were thoroughly well briefed, as well as receiving numerous letters from the public. (CNK is now chaired by Brian Iddon MP, whose speech in a debate on the Mental Incapacity Bill was one of the most notable.)
Not Dead Yet UK, for disability activists, was launched on the day of the Second Reading, and members joined a Rally against the Bill opposite Parliament, led by Jane Campbell (just awarded a DBE). The demonstration was described by Baroness Jay, a Joffe supporter, as “deeply unpleasant”. The Bill will be presented again, perhaps not by Lord Joffe.
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