Fresh controversy has engulfed the government over its approach to assisted dying legislation, following the emergence of a leaked Labour policy note that reveals discussions on changing the law while the party was still in opposition.
Leaked Document Reveals Pre-Election Strategy
The leaked document, reportedly drafted in November 2023, outlines how a Private Member's Bill could be utilised to legalise assisted dying. This was shortly before Sir Keir Starmer publicly stated it would be 'appropriate' to use such a bill to change the law. The Prime Minister, a former director of public prosecutions, has long been a personal supporter of legalisation.
Despite the Labour manifesto for the 2024 general election making no mention of the issue, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater introduced her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to Parliament soon after the party won power. Sir Keir granted MPs a free vote and voted in favour himself, while pledging government neutrality.
Accusations of 'Backdoor' Government Legislation
The leaked note has sparked accusations that Downing Street is secretly aiding the bill's passage, contradicting its public pledge of impartiality. The document suggested a Private Member's Bill would allow for 'heavy influence' from the government, enable cross-party working, and provide 'political cover' for Labour.
Senior Labour MP Meg Hillier criticised the approach, calling it 'hugely disappointing' and an attempt to 'circumvent the Labour Party's manifesto and policy processes'. Critics within the party argue the move is 'unheard of and totally unacceptable'.
Rebecca Paul, the Conservative MP for Reigate who sat on the bill committee, stated: 'If these reports are true... they would not only be abusing the Private Member's Bill process but would also have misled the public.' Tory peer Lord Moylan labelled it 'clearly a No10 Bill'.
Record Scrutiny and Government Defence
The bill now faces unprecedented scrutiny in the House of Lords, where more than 1,000 amendments have been tabled – a record for backbench legislation. This prompted the government to grant extra debating time, a move that has itself attracted criticism.
In defence, a spokesperson for Kim Leadbeater 'categorically denied' she had any conversations with No.10 or the Labour leadership before taking up the issue. They insisted the government had 'remained scrupulously neutral' and that allegations of 'Government legislation by the backdoor' were false.
A Labour spokesperson said: 'It's completely normal for a wide range of policy proposals to be assessed by political parties in opposition.' They reiterated that MPs had a free vote and the government had not taken a position.
The charity Right To Life UK called for the bill to be withdrawn immediately, claiming its progression constitutes an 'abuse of parliamentary process'. The intense debate sets the stage for a prolonged and contentious passage through the Lords in the New Year.
