Assisted dying bill - special series #3: Understanding the amendment process

The assisted dying bill is about to undergo detailed scrutiny by the Public Bill Committee - a group of 23 MPs tasked with reviewing the Bill’s text and proposing amendments to refine and improve it. But what exactly happens during this amendment process? Former House of Commons Clerk, Paul Evans CBE, breaks it down. Plus, we hear from Dr Ben Spencer MP, a former consultant psychiatrist turned parliamentarian, who has proposed dozens of amendments to the Bill.

This week, Ruth is joined by procedural expert Paul Evans to break down the role and purpose of a Public Bill Committee. They explore how amendments are proposed, the rules that determine which amendments are admissible, and the grouping and selection of amendments for debate and decision. Paul explains the pivotal role played by the Committee chair in making fine procedural and political judgements and the mechanisms like ‘closure’ motions that keep the process moving and guard against filibustering.

What is the Government’s role in this process. While officially neutral, Ministers have a ‘duty to the statute book'. So, will they step in to propose amendments, or will that responsibility fall to the Bill’s sponsor, Kim Leadbeater MP? Plus, we explore the tactical side of law making: is it smarter to push amendments now, or save them for the next stage when the Bill returns to the full Commons for the Report stage?

We also sit down with Dr Ben Spencer MP, the Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge. He voted against the Bill at Second Reading and discusses why he thinks the Private Members’ Bill process is not the right route for this complex legislation. Despite his opposition to the Bill, and although he’s not a member of the Public Bill Committee, he has nonetheless tabled several dozen amendments. One of his key proposals? The creation of a new body — the Assisted Dying Agency — to oversee the process. He shares why he’s pursuing these amendments, how he’s crafting them, and how he hopes to influence the Bill’s progress from outside the Committee room.

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Presenter: Ruth Fox

Producer: Richard Townsend

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