Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill [HL]

My Lords, whatever happens at the end of the debate, I must admire the achievements of the noble Lord, Lord Joffe, who started the serious consideration of the right to choose the ending of one’s life after a period of some agony. I believe that time is on his side. There was a period when suicide was a much more criminal activity that it now is. Attitudes have changed and will continue to change. The noble Lord, Lord Carlile, spoke of the complications with regard to whether the right to die should be allowed, but that is the case for a Committee stage, when the issues can be examined in some detail. We all have certain rights, but the right to decide on one’s life when one is in continuous and increasing agony is a most fundamental one. The choice in such a situation should not be denied.