The public believes the House of Lords should be allowed to reject Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill, a poll has revealed.
Of 2,071 UK adults surveyed by Whitestone Insight, 70 per cent of those with an opinion said they would support a decision to protect the vulnerable by voting down the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Overall, 45 per cent agreed with just 20 per cent against.
Under the legislation, patients deemed to be terminally ill and with less than six months to live would be allowed to receive help to kill themselves. Since it is a Private Members’ Bill, rather than a Government Bill that was part of a manifesto promise, the Lords are entitled to block or overhaul the proposals.
‘Our responsibility’
Paralympic legend Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson commented: “Despite attempts to suggest otherwise, it seems the public are aware and support the ability of the Lords to reject this Bill should we think it necessary. The Bill is not a Government Bill and did not appear in any manifesto at the last election, so the Salisbury Convention does not apply.
“The most vulnerable in our society are entitled to our unwavering protection and the best quality care – something not provided by this Bill. If this is not possible within the confines of the Bill, we will not hesitate to say so”.
If it cannot be improved sufficiently, it is our responsibility to ensure it does not become law.Lord Harper
Lord Harper, a former Cabinet Minister, emphasised that in light of the “striking” polling: “The constitutional duty of the House in scrutinising this poorly drafted Bill is perfectly clear. If it cannot be improved sufficiently, it is our responsibility to ensure it does not become law.”
Opposition
Earlier this month, dozens of Peers blasted Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill as opposition to the legislation continued to grow.
During the House of Lords’ final day of Second Reading, a clear majority of Peers speaking warned that the Bill endangers swathes of people, from the disabled to young people struggling with mental health issues.
The Bill will now proceed to a Select Committee, where a small number of Peers will hear evidence from professional bodies and Government ministers until 7 November.
Whitestone interviewed 2,071 UK adults online between 5th and 7th September 2025. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults.
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