Connect with us

Published

on

The assisted dying bill is entering the make-or-break stage.

The message from those around Kim Leadbeater is that all is calm and well. She tells me she is “not particularly worried” about 28 MPs changing their minds and overturning the previous, historic, vote at the bill’s second reading.

But the mood at the assisted dying campaign’s press conference today is different. The cheerful optimism that marked the last one has turned to a charged nervousness.

They should be nervous. There are jitters among a number of MPs I’ve spoken to who voted for the bill last time but are concerned about safeguards and timeframes.

Politics latest: Chancellor grilled over her spring statement

MPs do not have long to make up their minds – after the Easter recess the report stage of the process will begin (probably on the 25 April) and the next vote is expected around the 16 May.

It will be the crunch vote where MPs who voted for the bill in principle – to see it debated – will need to pick a side.

More on Assisted Dying

Last time a majority of 55 MPs voted for assisted dying, more than many had expected but not enough to make the path to law certain.

Reform’s Lee Anderson and his former colleague Rupert Lowe have both told us they will no longer be backing the bill, having supported it last time. No Labour MPs I’ve spoken to appear to have decisively changed their mind, however.

“I would hope that some colleagues would come on board that potentially voted against it last time,” Ms Leadbeater tells me.

But the sense I get is the mood may be in the other direction.

The main issue that comes up is the removal of the requirement of a High Court judge – to be replaced by a panel of experts including a senior lawyer, psychiatrist and social worker. Ms Leadbeater says the safeguards are now stronger.

There has also been criticism that some amendments, including on closing a so-called anorexia loophole, were not selected.

Naz Shah, the Labour MP for Bradford West who did not back the assisted dying bill but claims she was “very open” to voting for it, says the process has been “fundamentally flawed”.

She says: “The intention for me was, is it going to be safer? Can I vote for this bill? Ultimately the conclusion I’ve drawn is, no, it’s not safe enough.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Kim Leadbeater MP defends changes to Assisted Dying Bill

There is also disquiet about the deadline for the implementation of assisted dying being pushed to four years, which some fear will mean it will be politicised in an election campaign.

Ms Leadbeater says it is “more important to do this right than to do this quickly”. She believes implementation can still be achieved in two years.

And what of the toll it has taken on the MP herself? It was always remarkable that such consequential legislation to be brought via an individual MP’s private members bill.

Read more:
Payouts for departing civil servants capped at £95,000
Why is assisted dying so controversial?

Ms Leadbeater, whose sister Jo Cox was murdered when she was an MP, tells me “the personal toll has been quite hard”.

She talks about the “unpleasantness and nastiness” that has been directed towards her but believes her parliamentary colleagues have come to the argument in good faith.

“I think people have got their views and they’ve got strong views”, she says. “We all have to think about how we behave in this very privileged, very responsible job.”

One thing is for sure, it’s nearly make-your-mind-up time for MPs, and what happens next will have consequences well beyond parliament.

Continue Reading

Politics

Roman Storm asks DeFi devs: Can you be sure DOJ won’t charge you?

Published

on

By

<div>Roman Storm asks DeFi devs: Can you be sure DOJ won't charge you?</div>

<div>Roman Storm asks DeFi devs: Can you be sure DOJ won't charge you?</div>

Current laws in the United States do not explicitly protect open source software developers and create the risk of retroactive prosecution.

Continue Reading

Politics

Stablecoins are really ‘central business digital currencies’ — VC

Published

on

By

<div>Stablecoins are really 'central business digital currencies' — VC</div>

<div>Stablecoins are really 'central business digital currencies' — VC</div>

Jeremy Kranz, founder of Sentinel Global, a venture capital firm, said investors should be “discerning” and read the fine print on any stablecoin.

Continue Reading

Politics

Labour deputy leadership candidate accuses opponent’s team of ‘throwing mud’ and briefing against her

Published

on

By

Labour deputy leadership candidate accuses opponent's team of 'throwing mud' and briefing against her

Lucy Powell has accused Bridget Phillipson’s team of “throwing mud” and briefing against her in the Labour deputy leadership race in a special episode of Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast.

With just days to go until the race is decided, Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby spoke to the two leadership rivals about allegations of leaks, questions of party unity and their political vision.

Ms Powell told Electoral Dysfunction that through the course of the contest, she had “never leaked or briefed”.

But she said of negative stories about her in the media: “I think some of these things have also come from my opponent’s team as well. And I think they need calling out.

“We are two strong women standing in this contest. We’ve both got different things to bring to the job. I’m not going to get into the business of smearing and briefing against Bridget.

“Having us airing our dirty washing, throwing mud – both in this campaign or indeed after this if I get elected as deputy leader – that is not the game that I’m in.”

Ms Powell was responding to a “Labour source” who told the New Statesman last week: “Lucy was sacked from cabinet because she couldn’t be trusted not to brief or leak.”

Ms Powell said she had spoken directly to Ms Phillipson about allegations of briefings “a little bit”.

Bridget Phillipson (l) and Lucy Powell (r) spoke to Sky News' Beth Rigby in a special Electoral Dysfunction double-header. Pics: Reuters
Image:
Bridget Phillipson (l) and Lucy Powell (r) spoke to Sky News’ Beth Rigby in a special Electoral Dysfunction double-header. Pics: Reuters

Phillipson denies leaks

But asked separately if her team had briefed against Ms Powell, Ms Phillipson told Rigby: “Not to my knowledge.”

And Ms Phillipson said she had not spoken “directly” to her opponent about the claims of negative briefings, despite Ms Powell saying the pair had talked about it.

“I don’t know if there’s been any discussion between the teams,” she added.

On the race itself, the education secretary said it would be “destabilising” if Ms Powell is elected, as she is no longer in the cabinet.

“I think there is a risk that comes of airing too much disagreement in public at a time when we need to focus on taking the fight to our opponents.

“I know Lucy would reject that, but I think that is for me a key choice that members are facing.”

She added: “It’s about the principle of having that rule outside of government that risks being the problem. I think I’ll be able to get more done in government.”

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈

Insider vs outsider

But Ms Powell, who was recently sacked by Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Commons, said she could “provide a stronger, more independent voice”.

“The party is withering on the vine at the same time, and people have got big jobs in government to do.

“Politics is moving really, really fast. Government is very, very slow. And I think having a full-time political deputy leader right now is the political injection we need.”

The result of the contest will be announced on Saturday 25 October.

The deputy leader has the potential to be a powerful and influential figure as the link between members and the parliamentary Labour Party, and will have a key role in election campaigns. They can’t be sacked by Sir Keir as they have their own mandate.

The contest was triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner following a row over her tax affairs. She was also the deputy prime minister but this position was filled by David Lammy in a wider cabinet reshuffle.

Continue Reading

Trending