House of Lords Assisted Suicide debate – 16 January 2026

We’ve selected our top soundbites from today’s debate, where Peer’s continued their scrutiny of Kim Leadbeater’s controversial Bill.

0.00
Baroness Berridge highlights the clash of philosophies behind the assisted suicide Bill and the Mental Health Act, saying “no wonder” we have no clarity about how it will work.

One prioritises autonomy to let you take your own life, the other reduces your autonomy to preserve your life.

1.35
“I want to protect people, and that’s my job.” Lord Deben hits back at accusations of ‘paternalism’ in the debate.

2.20
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson asks Lord Falconer how the Bill will protect those in care homes, protect individuals who have previously had suicidal ideation, and protect people with a history of self-harm.

3.04
Lord Falconer appears to say that people could get an assisted suicide because they are poor, to the shock of his colleagues.

4.46
Lord Harper explains why “there is not a single organisation of or for disabled people that supports this legislation”.