Health & Lifestyle, Political | Posted on March 16th, 2026 | return to news

Dorset MP presses government on protecting the Assisted Dying Bill

Local MP Vikki Slade warns that procedural delays in the House of Lords could prevent the Assisted Dying Bill from passing into law.

Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Vikki Slade, has challenged the Prime Minister to ensure the Assisted Dying Bill is not blocked by procedural delay in the House of Lords.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 11 March, Slade raised her concerns that no additional time has been allocated in the Lords for the Bill to complete its passage.

She said: “If this blocks the will of this democratically elected House, it will be a travesty for democracy and more importantly a great tragedy for all those who are relying on it, and waited so long, not least my own dad.

“Will he act now to prevent the dismissal of the views of 76 per cent of the public, especially as other parts of our country approve it, and so secure a real legacy for social policy in this Parliament?”

In response to this, the Prime Minister said the issue was a matter of conscience and that scrutiny of legislation is a matter for the Lords.

Slade went on to say: “This is fundamentally a democratic issue. The House of Commons — made up of elected representatives — has expressed its will. It cannot be right for an unelected chamber to block it by running down the clock.”

“Public polling shows strong support for change. I support this Bill not lightly, after speaking with end-of-life care experts, listening to constituents and reflecting on my own family’s experience.”

Vikki has pledged to continue pressing for the Bill to be given the time it needs to complete its passage through Parliament.