Evangelical Alliance welcomes Lords decision to reject Joffe Bill

The Evangelical Alliance welcomed the decision of the House of Lords today to reject Lord Joffe's Assisted Dying Bill.

12 May 2006

The Evangelical Alliance welcomed the decision of the House of Lords today to reject Lord Joffe's Assisted Dying Bill. At the second reading, unusually, a vote was taken, and Peers decided by 148 votes to 100 effectively to block the Bill.

Don Horrocks, Head of Public Affairs at the Evangelical Alliance, said, “This represents a victory, not only for the dedication and commitment of those who have worked so hard during the 'Care not Killing' campaign to win the argument, but also for the vast majority of doctors, nurses, disabled people and the general public who found the idea of introducing legalised killing into our society, abhorrent.”

Horrocks added:

“The result shows that however emotive the case, for a fair and just society to work, absolute choice for the individual can never be an overriding right. Whilst the immediate threat has now been removed, the public nevertheless must remain vigilant. Supporters of euthanasia remain determined, as Lord Joffe pledged, to find new ways to try to force this agenda of death onto the parliamentary timetable once more. The real fear is that they will plug away until they eventually achieve a change in the law by arguing successfully that public opinion confirms euthanasia has become socially acceptable. The earnest hope of those who value the intrinsic, unconditional sanctity of life and the future of our society is that, that day never comes.”

End

View photos of the 'Care not Killing' campaign at the Houses of Parliament on May 12 2006