A leaked document has revealed that Labour, while in opposition, proposed introducing assisted dying via a private member's bill, suggesting this would still allow “heavy influence” for the government. The document, seen by the Guardian, outlined a change strikingly similar to the bill later put forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, limiting the law to those who are “mentally competent, terminally ill and have a prognosis of less than six months left to live”.
The leak raises fresh questions about the extent of government control behind Leadbeater’s bill, ahead of a major battle in the House of Lords this Friday. Opposing peers have tabled hundreds of amendments, seen by some as an effort to filibuster the bill. Ten extra sitting days have been assigned for debate, but supporters fear it may run out of time in the parliamentary session and have held private talks to persuade peers not to use parliamentary tactics to delay it.
A Labour source opposed to the bill said the leak exposed “a shadow policymaking process, outside of the Labour manifesto, and with no consultation with MPs, unions or members, that sought to evade scrutiny on an issue of huge importance”. A spokesperson for Leadbeater “categorically denied” that the MP had any conversations with No 10 or the party leadership before taking up the issue after winning the private member’s bill ballot.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has long supported changing the law, drawing on his experience as director of public prosecutions. In December 2023, he said: “There are grounds for changing the law … Traditionally this has always been dealt with through a private member’s bill and a free vote and that seems appropriate to me.” The policy note, drafted in November 2023, warned that legalising assisted dying could help win back older voters, as it “polls well, particularly amongst hero voters in areas we must win back”.
The note made 11 references to the campaign group Dignity in Dying and warned of “strong, impactful campaigns in favour of assisted dying during the general election campaign”. It said the party’s neutral line was “unlikely to sustain us through an election campaign” and that not acting would “show Labour as unable to take a position on difficult issues”. The document suggested using a private member’s bill to allow a free, conscience vote, and noted that “we can control the parameters of legislation carefully through working with advocacy groups and government civil servants”.
