New Actor: Labour MPs press Starmer to back assisted dying bill

More than 100 Labour MPs have written to Keir Starmer urging him to stop procedural tactics in the House of Lords from blocking the assisted dying bill and to guarantee time for a final decision in the next session. The effort was coordinated by Peter Prinsley, the MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket and a consultant doctor. MPs from other parties have also written, taking the total to about 150.

The bill passed the Commons in June last year but has stalled in the Lords under more than 1,200 amendments, largely from opponents. After 11 days and over 100 hours of debate, only about half the amendments have been covered and just three days are left before the session ends in May. Supporters say that makes passage this session effectively impossible.

The MPs want Starmer to ensure the bill returns to the Commons early next session or to give it government time. If MPs pass it again, supporters could try to use the Parliament Act, which lets the elected Commons override the Lords, something not used before for a backbench bill. Opponents argue the bill is unsafe and deny they are time-wasting.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources