No Way to Run a Country
Some traditions are good, but others stand in the way of progress.
The Private Member’s Assisted Dying Bill was passed by the Commons last June.
It then went to the House of Lords for more scrutiny. Some Peers put down worthwhile amendments to the detail. Others put down amendments (over 1000) with the aim of ensuring the Bill was never passed. The government wouldn’t allow sufficient extra time so it will, almost certainly, not be agreed before the Kings Speech in June. At this point the Bill is ‘lost’ and WILL HAVE TO START AGAIN in the Commons – if an MP who is lucky in the ballot is prepared to take it on as a Private Members Bill. How utterly ridiculous!
Whether you are in favour of this proposal or not (Lib Dem MPs voted 61 for, 11 against) archaic parliamentary procedures should not prevent MPs making a final decision this year. Lib Dems have long argued for radical reform of the House of Lords and for bringing parliamentary procedures into the 21st century.
A similar Bill has been passed by the relatively tiny parliaments in Jersey and the Isle of Mann and is being thoroughly debated within the vastly better system in Scotland. Aspects of our Parliament are not fit for purpose. Lib Dems continue to lead the campaign for change.