Overview
- A November 2023 Labour policy note, reported this week, outlined advancing assisted dying via a private member’s bill and said the approach could allow “heavy influence” through work with advocacy groups and civil servants.
- The leaked proposals closely mirror Kim Leadbeater’s bill by limiting eligibility to mentally competent, terminally ill adults with a prognosis of less than six months.
- Labour’s official response says evaluating options in opposition is routine, MPs had a conscience vote, and the government has not taken a position on the legislation.
- Leadbeater’s office says there were no discussions with No 10 before she chose the bill’s subject and that officials provided technical drafting support while policy decisions were hers and Lord Falconer’s.
- Some Labour figures, including Dame Meg Hillier, criticize the approach as bypassing party processes, as the House of Lords prepares to debate hundreds of amendments over ten additional sitting days that could exhaust parliamentary time.