Christian Concern stood with disability campaigners outside the House of Lords last Friday (16th January) to oppose Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill.
Inside the House of Lords, peers presented arguments against the Bill and tabled so many amendments that its progress has been effectively halted.
Crowd
As peers arrived to debate the Bill, a crowd of opponents displayed placards highlighting the pain that would be caused by the proposed legislation.
Many of the placards featured the name and picture of a disabled or terminally ill person whose impairment had prevented them from attending the protest, and a message explaining why they oppose the bill.
Some of the messages read: “I have a job, I have family, I want to live, NOT BE KILLED OFF!” (Chris) and “I live with chronic pain. I feel devalued when told this is a reason to die” (Deborah).
The Bill was at the committee stage, meaning that peers could present arguments against it and add amendments.
Halted
Peers tabled over 175 amendments to the Bill, effectively halting the Bill’s progress. With only three committee days left before the general election in May, there is now not enough time for the Bill to pass in this parliamentary session.
The outcome is exactly what opponents of the Bill wanted. Actor and comedian Liz Carr said at the demonstration: “How then can we justify state assisted killing of ill and disabled people in the UK? Kill the Bill – Not Us!”
Holding the line
Christian Concern chief executive Andrea Williams commented: “For now, the line is held.
“Friday 16 January was a day of resistance; a day for politicians to hear and value the opinions of people living with terminal illnesses and severe disabilities.
“To borrow a phrase from Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, we will always stand against any law that is made ‘for the strong at the expense of the weak.’”
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