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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Kim Leadbeater

My assisted dying bill has a democratic mandate – the Lords who blocked it today do not

A campaigner for the assisted dying bill holding a banner outside parliament, London, 24 April 2026.
A campaigner for the assisted dying bill holding a banner outside parliament, London, 24 April 2026. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Today has been a sorry day for democracy in this country. After more than 220 hours of debate in both Houses of Parliament, a small minority of unelected peers has defied not only the clear will of democratically elected MPs, but perhaps more importantly the wishes of a large majority of our constituents.

The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill has failed becauseit has run out of time and it will no longer be able to go through the required stages to pass it into law. Seven lords tabled more than half of the amendments of the 1,280 total and have used up the allotted time to debate the bill.

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