Assisted Dying Bill - Friday's Debate in the Lords

Lord Falconer's Assisted Dying Bill is due for its second reading in the Lords this Friday, 18th July 2014.

The great majority of religious institutions remain implacably opposed to any measure that would allow anyone in the late stages of a terminal illness, to seek and be given medical assistance in ending their life, under any circumstances.

However, opinion polls show overwhelming public support, including among people of faith.

As a classic liberal measure to give individuals control over their own lives, you would expect it to reflect Liberal Democrat policy, and so it does. However, where religious orthodoxy comes into direct opposition with liberal values, you would also expect there to be plenty of debate within the party - and you'll find two LibDem Voice threads, kicked off by James Harper and me, at

http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-assisted-dying-41559.html#utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email

and http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-lord-falconers-assisted-dying-bill-a-measure-of-humanity-41569.html#comment-306643

You should be able to watch the Lords debate from 10am on Friday, or to catch up with it afterwards, on http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Home.aspx