Letter sent to Starmer claims ‘small number of peers have been using procedural tactics’ to stymie its progress
More than 100 Labour MPs have called on Keir Starmer to stop the House of Lords from blocking the assisted dying bill and give it more time to return to the Commons, with the legislation now certain to fall owing to lack of time.
The private member’s bill, sponsored by Labour’s Kim Leadbeater, will fall when the parliamentary session comes to an end in May because peers have used multiple amendments and lengthy debates to prevent it from being put to a vote.
A number of ministerial aides – parliamentary private secretaries – are also believed to have written to the prime minister separately. Ministers have told the Guardian they have also made the case to Starmer, saying it would be a moment to show some leadership on an issue popular with the public as well as a way to demonstrate he will not allow the Lords to block the will of the elected House of Commons.
Opponents of the bill, who have submitted more than 1,200 amendments, say they are not deliberately filibustering and that it is unfit for purpose. In a private letter to Starmer, the Labour MPs wrote that he should ensure it returns to the Commons in the next session after the king’s speech.
