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 call on Starmer to intervene as House of Lords stalls assisted dying legislation

More than 100 Labour MPs are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act, fearing the House of Lords may prevent the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The legislation, which would permit terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to request an assisted death, requires approval from two doctors and a panel including a social worker, legal expert, and psychiatrist.

Supporters of the bill express concern that the Lords are employing ‘procedural tactics’ to delay its progress. Only half of the 1,200 proposed amendments have been debated after 11 days of scrutiny, raising doubts about whether the upper chamber will allow the measure to advance before the current parliamentary session ends.

A coalition of over 150 MPs, including members from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Plaid Cymru, and Reform UK, has signed a private letter to Sir Keir. The document requests his commitment to ensure the House of Commons can finalize the debate on assisted dying in the next session. The letter emphasizes that while the government maintains neutrality on the issue, the elected chamber should hold ultimate authority over legislative decisions.

Joint letter highlights democratic concerns

“A small group of peers is using procedural maneuvers to block the bill, and it seems certain they will prevent it from returning to the Commons before this session concludes,” the letter states. “Although we respect the government’s stance on assisted dying, we believe it is vital that the elected House decides the matter.”

“Our constituents across the nation support legal reform, and the issue must be resolved without further delay,” the letter adds. “Whether or not the bill is re-elected through the private members’ ballot, we ask that Parliament secures a decision in the next session. This would preserve the MPs’ conscience vote and maintain government neutrality without encroaching on scheduled legislative time.”

Lord Falconer, a Labour former minister and sponsor of the bill in the Lords, warned that the upper chamber risks being viewed as a “redundant debating forum” if it fails to move forward. He pledged to utilize a parliamentary procedure to override peers if the bill does not progress, stating it would not be “finished” without further action.

Karl Turner, a Labour MP who initially supported the bill but later withdrew, called the legislation “unfit for purpose.” “That’s the truth. And that’s why it needs to fail,” he said. Ashley Dalton, another Labour MP who stepped down from government to continue breast cancer treatment, echoed this sentiment. “The assisted dying debate has become a showcase for Parliament at its worst,” she remarked. “It’s not about broad principles; it’s about precise details. With most amendments to enhance the bill rejected, it remains flawed and unable to safeguard vulnerable individuals.”