Opponents of assisted dying bill are already plotting to derail its legislation – with the backing of just 28 MPs needed to defeat it at the next vote_Nhy
Opponents of the assisted dying Bill are plotting to derail its legalisation despite last week’s historic vote in Parliament.
MPs who are concerned about the legislation are feeling hopeful that they can defeat it at the next vote – only 28 need to be persuaded to change their mind.
On Friday, MPs took a historic step to legalising assisted dying by voting it through by 330 votes to 275.
But a number of those who backed the Bill said they could change their minds and vote against it before it became law.
An anti-legalisation campaign source said: ‘The victory is more shallow than it appears. There is a lot to play for.’
A Labour MP who voted for the Bill – and spoke in favour of it in the debate – told The Mail on Sunday they are privately concerned about suggestions that doctors will be able to propose assisted dying to patients: ‘I hope that is corrected at committee stage.’
Meanwhile, a war of words erupted after supporters of the legislation were accused of ‘celebrating’ the vote.
Sources said they saw some male Labour MPs ‘clinking champagne glasses’ in the Members’ Dining Room after the vote in Parliament. ‘They were Keir (Starmer)’s supporters.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting was among cabinet ministers to vote against the assisted dying Bill on Friday
Deputy PM Angela Rayner also walked down the ‘no’ lobby. Just 28 MPs would need to be persuaded to change their mind to defeat the bill at the next vote
‘They have turned it all very political. It was distasteful to celebrate.’
Another said: ‘They were gleeful and pleased for themselves – even though they had just voted to say you could kill people.’
Campaigners for the legalisation were accused of disingenuous tactics after they told MPs they could vote it through even if they had concerns, to ‘continue the debate’.
Tory MP Sir John Hayes said it was ‘naive or optimistic’ of some MPs to have voted for the Bill now in order to improve it later.
The Bill was introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who will appoint a committee of MPs to scrutinise it.
She promised to include opponents on the committee, telling the Commons ‘there will be representatives of different parties with a range of views’.
A source said: ‘Does she just pick loyal MPs, or does she include any waverers? That could help fix the problems, but it will leave the Bill more at risk of amendments.’
Tory MP Danny Kruger, who led opposition, said: ‘The responsibility lies with Parliament to ensure that only a Bill with adequate safeguards passes into law.’
Some MPs were concerned about suggestions that doctors would be able to propose assisted dying to patients (file photo)
Opponents of the bill protesting outside Parliament on Friday as MPs were debating the proposed legislation
Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, said: ‘While I voted for it, I think all of us want this to be a good Bill. I would hope colleagues across the House reserve the right to vote no at further stages.’
If the Bill passes third reading, Ms Leadbeater has written into her Bill that there would be a ‘commencement period’.
Ms Moran said: ‘That’s to say it could be two years before we see the first assisted death.’ She said this should give plenty of time for palliative care to be improved.
- Younger MPs were more likely to vote in favour of legalising assisted dying, analysis for The Mail on Sunday has shown. Seventy-two per cent of MPs born in the 1990s voted in favour – compared to 40 per cent of MPs born in the 1970s and 38 per cent of those born in the 1950s, according to the More In Common think-tank.
Tv’s Alastair urges end-of-life care
Former TV newsreader Alastair Stewart, who has spoken openly about his battle with dementia, has urged MPs to prioritise end-of-life care over any legal right to end life.
The ‘lapsed Catholic’, 72, says he has a moral dilemma over the assisted dying Bill, although he admits his father died ‘very unpleasantly of Alzheimer’s’. He says there are risks to giving the terminally ill the right to end their lives.
‘I am totally confident that my children would never say to me: “Dad, pop off to Dignitas, take the pressure off Mum and we can have the money”,’ he said.
‘But I can see circumstances in which a superficially caring person would go to someone like my father lying in his care home in Windsor and say: “Swallow this pill, drink this potion, it will be better all round for your children”.’
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Stewart added: ‘I support our local hospices: the medical priority, the political priority should be better end-of-life care, not ending life.’
And while he says he can’t tie his own shoelaces, choose a shirt, and would be lost without his wife Sally, he stays positive by thinking about his grandchildren, adding: ‘They are like my medicine.’
