More than 100 Labour MPs demand Starmer steps in to stop Lords blocking assisted dying law – but critics say ‘flawed’ legislation ‘needs to fail’
More than 100 Labour MPs demand Starmer steps in to stop Lords blocking assisted dying law – but critics say ‘flawed’ legislation ‘needs to fail’
Over 100 Labour MPs have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene and prevent the House of Lords from obstructing the assisted dying legislation. The MPs argue that peers in the upper chamber are employing ‘procedural tactics’ to delay the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
Only half of the 1,200 amendments proposed for consideration have been discussed after 11 days of review in the Lords. This has raised concerns that the bill may not secure approval from both peers and MPs before the current parliamentary session concludes.
Should this happen, the bill—originally introduced as a Private Members’ Bill—could be defeated. This has led to urgent calls for the Prime Minister’s involvement, with over 150 MPs signing a private letter to him. The letter includes supporters from the Tories, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Plaid Cymru, and Reform UK, urging action to ensure parliamentary decision-making.
Call for decisive action
The letter emphasized that a small group of peers might hinder the bill’s return to the Commons before the session ends. It stated: ‘While we respect the Government’s neutrality on the principle of assisted dying, we believe you would agree that the elected House of Commons should lead on this matter.’
It also noted that constituents across the UK strongly back legal reform and that resolving the issue promptly is essential. The MPs requested that time be allocated in the next session for Parliament to reach a decision, maintaining the Government’s neutrality while allowing for debate on the bill’s details.
Lord Falconer, a Labour former minister and the bill’s sponsor in the House of Lords, warned that the upper chamber risks being viewed as an ‘irrelevant talking shop’ if it fails to advance the legislation. He pledged to use a parliamentary procedure to override peers should time run out.
Despite these efforts, some critics argue the bill is ‘not fit for purpose.’ Labour MP Karl Turner, who initially supported it but later withdrew, stated: ‘The legislation isn’t fit for purpose. That’s the truth. And that’s why it needs to fail.’
Another Labour MP, Ashley Dalton, who stepped down as a Government minister while undergoing breast cancer treatment, described the debate as ‘Parliament at its worst.’ She added: ‘It’s not about broad principles; it’s about detail. With most amendments to improve the bill rejected, it remains flawed and unable to protect the vulnerable.’
