Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Baroness Hunter of Auchenreoch Excerpts

Friday 12th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hunter of Auchenreoch (Lab)]

My Lords, wherever you may stand on the principle, the fact is that assisted dying is already a reality. It is available to those who have the means and ability to go abroad. The question before us is whether we continue with this two-tier system or whether people suffering here should be able to die at home, in our own country within our own regulated and safe framework, more stringent than any overseas, as set out in the Bill.

I am inspired by the experience of Michael Stubbs, the father of my son’s close friend. His widow, Christine, is with us in the Chamber today. After struggling with degenerative Parkinson’s for 10 years, Michael was wheelchair-bound, with double incontinence, seizures, spasms, insomnia, dyskinesia and depression. He was at the end stage of Parkinson’s, with a life expectancy of between six and 12 months. He wished to end his life, to spare himself and his family. After much research and two months’ review of his medical records, Michael made the arduous journey to LEIF in Belgium, where physical and psychiatric assessments were completed. Then, following the requisite cooling-off period at home in Brighton, the family crossed the channel again.

Michael remained calm and resolute: as Christine said, “Compos mentis to the very last second of his life”. The drug was administered and Michael died quickly and painlessly. “The moment was sad”, his son, David, wrote to me, “but there was also a beauty and so much dignity in it. Everyone got to hug and say our last words. He seemed so at peace and filled with acceptance”.

Two days later, Christine had to travel back to Belgium to collect her husband’s ashes. All that unavoidable travel inevitably added to the family’s stress and pain. But they know they were lucky: so many in this country do not have their opportunity. This is about equity of choice for terminally ill people here about how and where they die. I urge noble Lords to support the Bill.