More than 100 Labour MPs have written to Keir Starmer urging him to save plans to legalise assisted dying amid accusations critics are set to block it from becoming law
More than 100 Labour MPs have written to Keir Starmer urging him to save plans to legalise assisted dying amid accusations critics are set to block it from becoming law.
MPs passed historic legislation to allow terminally ill people to end their lives last June but the Bill has since stalled in the House of Lords. More than 1,200 amendments have been tabled and very slow progress in debating them means that time is set to run out given the Parliamentary session ends in May.
With three days remaining for the Bill to complete all its stages, over 600 amendments have still to be debated even before the remaining parliamentary stages are reached.
Lord Falconer, the Bill’s sponsor in the House of Lords, has said there is “absolutely no hope” that it will make it onto the statute book in this session without a “fundamental change” in the tactics being employed by its opponents.
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In a letter to the PM, organised by consultant doctor and Labour MP Peter Prinsley, MPs said: “A small number of peers have been using procedural tactics to block the Bill in the House of Lords and it now appears very likely that they will prevent it returning to the Commons before the end of this session.
“While we fully respect the government’s neutrality on the principle of assisted dying, we are confident that you would agree with us that we cannot be neutral on the fundamental democratic principle that it is for the elected House of Commons to decide on this matter.
“Our constituents, in every part of the country, strongly support a change in the law and it is clear to us that the issue must be resolved sooner rather than later. Our ask is simple.
“That, whether or not the Bill returns through the private members’ bill ballot after the Kings Speech, time will be found for Parliament to come to a decision in the next session.
“It would remain a conscience issue for MPs, the government’s neutrality would be maintained, and it need not take up time reserved for government business.”
In January, Lord Falconer said the Parliament Act – a law from 1911 – could be invoked to ensure debates conclude before time runs out. The Act establishes the supremacy of the Commons, which is made up of elected MPs, over the Lords, which is made up of appointed peers.
The rarely used legislation allows for Bills that have been backed by the Commons in two successive sessions – but rejected by peers – to pass into law without Lords approval.
At the time, Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell said he hoped peers scrutinise the Bill in a “responsible way” and the Parliament Act does not have to be invoked.
Sir Alan added: “The Government position hasn’t changed, which is, once the Lords have completed their scrutiny, if necessary, we will find time in this place to debate those amendments, because the will of this House was very clear, and I hope, without having to go down the avenues that have been described, that we will be able to resolve this matter.”
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.