'Too important to fail' is message of Harrogate MP as Lords threaten to scupper Assisted Dying Bill
Harrogate’s MP has warned that the Assisted Dying Bill is "too important to fail” as fears grow that it now has no hope of passing in Parliament.
Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon raised his concern after former justice secretary Lord Falconer said that the legislation, which has already been backed by MPs in the House of Commons, had "absolutely no hope" of passing unless the objections of the House of Lords could be overcome.
Mr Gordon said: “I’ve been closely involved with the Assisted Dying Bill and I know how carefully and thoughtfully it has already been examined in the Commons Bill Committee.
"When it came before the Commons, colleagues from across the House supported it, reflecting the strength of feeling among the public as well.
“That’s why it would be so disappointing if all that work – by MPs, campaigners, clinicians and families – were to fall away simply because the process had stalled in the House of Lords.
"This is too important an issue for that.”
Highlighting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to bringing the Bill to a vote, the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP pressed the Leader of the House to set out what steps he is taking to ensure the Prime Minister honours that promise, as well as what discussions are taking place with counterparts in the House of Lords to advance the process.
He also called for assurances that, once the Lords finally reached a decision, MPs would be given time to properly scrutinise and advance the Bill.
Reports suggest that Number 10 does not expect the Bill to come back to the Commons before the current legislative timetable resets, a delay that would risk the bill being lost.
Mr Gordon, who sat on the Assisted Dying Bill Committee and has been one of its most vocal supporters, argued in Parliament that both public perception and polling showed strong backing for the Bill.
He noted that the Bill had already passed the Commons and that, with such widespread public support, it would be deeply disappointing to see it fail because of the House of Lords.