Lords at war over assisted dying as ex-PM Theresa May is accused of 'distressing' terminally ill people with 'licence to kill bill' jibe

The House of Lords again clashed over the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday after former prime minister Theresa May referred to the measure as a ‘‘licence to kill’’ bill, drawing criticism from peers who said her words distressed terminally ill people. Several lawmakers constellated that the comments were inappropriate as the bill returned for a second day of debate.

The legislation would enable terminally ill adults in England and Wales who have fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel that includes a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist. Proponents say the framework is tightly regulated and designed to protect vulnerable people, while opponents argue the safeguards may be insufficient and could drift toward coercion or abuse. The Lords’ renewed scrutiny followed calls from peers who urged careful amendment rather than outright rejection as the House weighs the measure’s future.

Labour peer Baroness Thornton said she was saddened by May’s language and stressed that the Lords’ mandate is to scrutinise and improve the Bill, not to kill it. “People have written to me in the last week, very distressed, and they say, we are not suicidal, we want to live, but we are dying, and we do not have the choice or ability to change that. Assisted dying is not suicide,” she said, underscoring concerns from those who support reform but fear rhetoric could undermine the policy’s legitimacy.

There are also concerns among some supporters that opponents may attempt to block the legislation or “talk it out” to run down the clock before the current session ends next spring. If the Bill clears both Houses with final wording agreed, the government would have four years to establish a functioning assisted-dying service, meaning the first eligible deaths could occur as late as 2029 or 2030.

Friday’s debate is expected to continue into the afternoon, with a motion to agree the Second Reading usually not put to a vote in the Lords, though it can be. The outcome hinges on the cross-party balance in the House and how amendments shape the final text, as advocates warn against delaying the measure beyond the next Parliament.

Outside Parliament, campaigners opposing or supporting assisted dying demonstrated in the surrounding area, reflecting the deep public divide over the policy. Groups such as Families Against Involuntary Medical Euthanasia (F.A.I.M.E) staged activities, underscoring the political sensitivity of the issue as the Lords weigh next steps.