The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has expressed relief that the House of Lords has voted down an amendment that would force the Government to legislate on assisted suicide. Peers voted against Lord Forsyth’s amendment to the Health and Care Bill by 179 votes to 145. 

Alithea Williams, SPUC’s Public Policy Manager, said: “It is a great relief that this dangerous amendment has been voted down. Trying to force the Government to legislate on a controversial issue like this was completely improper, and it is good that Peers recognised this. This episode just shows that activists will go to any lengths to promote assisted suicide.  

“As well as voting to maintain proper parliamentary procedures, peers today voted to protect the most vulnerable in society,” Ms Williams continued. “We know that disabled, sick and elderly people would be put in danger if assisted dying were ever legalised in the UK. Despite what some Peers claimed in the debate, this subject has been debated many times in Parliament, and the problems exposed. No process or safeguards can ever mitigate the risk of subtle pressure, coercion, and self-pressure.  

“This bill has made a great step forward by ensuring that palliative care will be a human right for all. Providing top quality palliative care should be the focus, not telling people that their lives are not worth living, and providing drugs to end them.”