More than 100 Labour MPs demand Starmer steps in to stop Lords blocking assisted dying law – but critics say ‘flawed’ legislation ‘needs to fail’
Labour MPs push for Starmer intervention as Lords stall assisted dying legislation
Over 100 Labour members of Parliament have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene and halt the House of Lords from obstructing the assisted dying law. The call comes amid growing concerns that procedural maneuvers in the upper chamber are delaying the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
Supporters of the legislation claim that only half of the 1,200 amendments proposed have been discussed after 11 days of scrutiny in the Lords. This slow pace has raised alarms that the Bill may not secure approval before the current parliamentary session concludes.
The stalled law would permit terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to request an assisted death, requiring two doctors’ approval and a panel including a social worker, legal expert, and psychiatrist. Despite passing its initial Commons stage, the Bill has faced hurdles in the Lords as debates over potential enhancements—such as stricter assessments for young people and safeguards against ‘death tourism’—continue.
Constitutional concerns over legislative delay
A coalition of over 150 MPs, including representatives from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Plaid Cymru, and Reform UK, has signed a private letter to Starmer. The document argues that the House of Lords’ actions threaten the democratic principle of elected representatives deciding key laws.
“A small number of peers have been employing procedural tactics to block the Bill in the House of Lords. It now seems highly probable they will prevent it from returning to the Commons before this session ends.”
The letter states: “While we respect the Government’s neutrality on assisted dying, we believe you would agree that the Commons must retain its role in finalizing this matter.” It also highlights public support for the law, noting that “resolving this issue promptly is essential for constituents across the nation.”
Resilience amid criticism
Lord Falconer, a Labour former minister and the Bill’s House of Lords sponsor, warned that the upper chamber risks being viewed as an “irrelevant talking shop” without progress. He emphasized that even if time runs out, a parliamentary procedure could override peers and keep the debate alive.
However, Karl Turner, a Labour MP who initially supported the Bill before withdrawing, called it “not fit for purpose.” He argued that the law’s flaws justify its potential failure. Fellow Labour MP Ashley Dalton, who recently resigned as a Government minister while undergoing breast cancer treatment, added: “The assisted dying debate has been called Parliament at its best; it’s the opposite. It’s about refining the law, not just principles.”
She stressed that “most amendments to strengthen the Bill have been rejected, leaving it vulnerable to protecting those at risk.” Despite these challenges, supporters remain determined to push for a decision in the next parliamentary session.
