Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between John Hayes and Lauren Edwards

2nd reading
Friday 11th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Lauren Edwards]

No, I will make some progress.

If, at that point, Members of this House decide to vote the Bill down, I and many others, in this Chamber and outside, would be upset and disappointed, but I would accept that as a result of the proper democratic processes being followed. What I cannot accept, and what many people both inside and outside the Chamber cannot accept, is the current situation, where a small number of unelected peers filibustered legislation that was supported by this Chamber. That is not how our democracy is supposed to function.

[Sir John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) (Con)]

I am very grateful to the hon. Lady, whose speech is a series of oxymorons: she does not like polling that is against the Bill, but likes it when it is in favour; she feels the Bill should be amended in the House of Lords, but not with amendments that would improve safeguards. On that subject of safeguards, will she explain to the House why the previous legal safeguards to assuage doubts about efficacy were entirely dropped from the Bill?