‘Labour planned in opposition how to introduce assisted dying via a private member’s bill’

In a bombshell report published on Wednesday, it emerged that:

‘Labour planned while in opposition how to introduce assisted dying via a private member’s bill, suggesting that would still allow “heavy influence” for the government in the process, a leaked document has revealed.’

The November 2023 policy note said “assisted dying” ‘“polls well, particularly amongst hero voters in areas we must win back”’. Making 11 references to campaign group Dignity in Dying,

‘It said a government bill would carry more risks by Labour taking ownership of the issue… [whereas] “we know… we can control the parameters of [private member’s] legislation carefully through working with advocacy groups and government civil servants to draft the legislation and provide conditions for parliamentary time.”’

“You may remember Health Minister Baroness Merron describing the ”Assisted Dying Bill“ as one of ”the Government’s major priorities“ in June. Weeks later, she was forced to ”correct" herself:

“The Assisted Dying Bill has required additional resource but should not have been referred to as a Government priority given the Government’s neutrality on the issue.”

A Labour source opposed to the Bill said:

“At a time when the Lords are being told democracy requires them to nod this bill through… [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”.

No wonder Lord Falconer told Liz Carr to “watch this space for after the election.”

Source - ourdutyofcare.org.uk