Michael Zander KC, Emeritus Professor at LSE, tracks the turbulent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords in this week's issue of NLJ. Two marathon debates drew contributions from nearly 200 peers, split between support, opposition and conditional approval
The Bill has been sharply criticised by both the Constitution Committee and the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee for leaving too much to ministerial regulation. Baroness Berger secured an amendment to set up a select committee to take evidence from NHS leaders, professional bodies and palliative care experts.
Lord Falconer, piloting the Bill, has promised amendments, but the fate of the legislation remains uncertain. With further debates ahead and no guarantee of sufficient consensus, Zander concludes that the Bill’s journey towards the statute book hangs in the balance and may be decided as much by politics as principle.
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