Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Baroness Morgan of Huyton Excerpts

Friday 5th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lawlor (Con)]

I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Blackstone, for that intervention, and I am going to my point. I think it is important to the whole argument to recall the various arguments; I am not repeating them, although I did make some of the same points or similar ones, and I have cut those.

We have heard also, in the context of the Bill, rare and sad cases of young adults diagnosed with terminal illness. But I do not think we should underestimate the decision, which is one of the suggestions, to end one’s own life as opposed to withdrawing treatment, given the very variable assessments we get. The science is very difficult. Consultants will tell you that they get different slides back from the lab, depending on how the various scientists and pharmacological people look at the evidence. It is difficult to know how long people will live.

Moreover, as we have heard today, if the Bill becomes law, it is probable that its provisions will gradually become looser in practice. The idea of killing yourself and having help to kill yourself will become normalised. Under these circumstances—alas, they are not those of a dystopian fantasy but are most likely in future if the Bill, in its present guise, has its way—the common depressions and anxieties of late adolescence, which often translate to thoughts of suicide, will be encouraged.

I speak here as someone who has taught 18 to 21 year-olds in university. People who have suffered terrible emotional stresses with which they cannot cope have been referred to me, for me to teach them history. Their tutors have mentioned privately that they want to commit suicide, saying, “They have already tried, but they want to continue doing their course on whatever. Will you take them on?” It may be objected that, since 18 is the legal age of majority, whatever choices are being opened up for older adults must stretch down to a person’s 18th birthday.

I will add just one thing on research in neurosciences. We have spoken a lot about neuroscientists’ view of emotional maturity, but—

[Baroness Morgan of Huyton (Lab)]

I am sorry to interrupt the noble Baroness, but she said that she would be coming forward with a compromise. I am not really clear on what that is, because it seems that this is still the same evidence as before.

[Baroness Lawlor (Con)]

I thank the noble Baroness for her intervention.