The debate about assisted dying is not over

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The assisted dying bill ran out of time to become law on Friday. It was the most consequential piece of social legislation in a generation and would have allowed mentally competent people to request help to end their lives if they had less than six months to live. The bill passed two votes in the Commons but foundered in the Lords, where it was subjected to more than 1,200 amendments. More than 800 of these were introduced by just seven peers. They argued that the bill was unsafe, but were accused of filibustering. Now even MPs who initially opposed the legalisation have pledged to reintroduce it during the next parliamentary session, feeling a small group of unelected peers have thwarted the democratic process. Another option would be to force the bill into law using the Parliament Act, which the Lords cannot block.

Read more: MPs who opposed assisted dying seek to revive bill in face of Lords filibustering