Yahoo News Sir Keir Starmer speaks out as MPs to vote on proposed new assisted dying law
Sir Keir Starmer has stated that it's down to individual Labour MPs to decide their stance on the controversial matter of legalising assisted dying. The upcoming Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and expected to span over 40 pages, is set to be unveiled on Tuesday.
Ms Leadbeater has indicated that the proposed legislation will encompass the "strictest protections" globally to guard against coercion. When questioned about his position on the bill and any potential concerns regarding coercion or issues highlighted by disability charities, Sir Keir responded: "Look, it’s going to be a free vote and I mean that. It will be for every MP to decide for themselves how they want to vote."
The Labour leader continued to affirm Labour's hands-off approach, claiming: “I’m not going to be putting any pressure whatsoever on Labour MPs. They will make their own mind up, as I will be.
"Obviously a lot will depend on the detail and we need to get the balance right but I’ve always argued there will need to be proper safeguards in place."
Although Sir Keir has previously been a proponent of assisted dying, he maintained that the Government should take a neutral position on the issue.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his concerns about coercion on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, saying he worries "about those people who think they’ve almost got a duty to die to relieve the burden on their loved ones". Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby told the BBC that assisted dying "has led to a slippery slope" in other parts of the world.
Ms Leadbeater has warned the existing policy leads to people with a settled wish to die having to travel abroad to end their lives. However, the Labour MP for Spen Valley in West Yorkshire who tabled the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, also said if MPs pass a new law it “must be a good law”.
The wording of the legislation is due to be published early this week, and Ms Leadbeater’s Bill is due for its first debate in the House of Commons on November 29. MPs will have a free vote on the issue, meaning that they will be able to decide whether to back or reject the legislation according to their conscience rather than along party lines.
It comes as a group of nurses urged MPs to embrace a “historic opportunity” to change the law, but opposition campaigners have claimed the legislation is “being rushed with indecent haste”.
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