Facing potential defeat in the landmark vote on her assisted dying Bill, which would herald the biggest social change in Britain for decades, the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater made a heartfelt pledge.
Addressing the packed Commons chamber after an emotionally charged five-hour debate, Leadbeater appealed to MPs wavering over whether to give terminally ill adults with six months to live the right to end their suffering.
First comes the question of who sits on the Commons Committee charged with scrutinising the Bill. As is her right, Leadbeater has chosen which MPs will be involved – and has duly ensured that 14 of the 23, a clear majority, were on her side and backed her in November's vote. Traditionally, a Bill Committee sits behind closed doors for a few minutes at the beginning of a session to discuss questioning.
But there was more to it than that. When government legislation goes into the Committee stage, both sides – for and against – have the right to select their expert witnesses. So, there is no space for Theo Boer, a member of the Health Council of The Netherlands who was once pro-euthanasia but now thinks his country made a terrible mistake.
Evidence from other countries shows how quickly the boundaries of a law intended to apply only to the terminally ill can creep outwards. The Bill dictates that if two doctors and a High Court judge agree, the terminally ill patient would be given 'an approved substance' with which to end their life. So, when it comes to the Committee deliberations, the voices and opinions of judges will be crucial.
He said: 'All in all, in relation to the involvement of the judges in the process, the Leadbeater Bill falls lamentably short of providing adequate safeguards.'When former High Court judge Lord Sumption appeared before the Committee, he criticised the plan to involve the High Court saying, 'it is not entirely clear what the judge is supposed to do'.
By contrast the pro-Bill MPs can draw on the support of well-funded campaign group Dignity in Dying. Some reports suggest the group is spending around £1.5 million a year to secure the success of the legislation.
Debate Holland Labour Kim Leadbeater
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Labour's Renting Reforms Could Reshape Britain's Housing MarketLabour's Renters' Rights Bill, set to become law, will significantly impact the private rental sector. The bill bans 'no-fault' evictions and introduces rent regulation, potentially curbing the buy-to-let boom that has driven up house prices. This reform aims to create a more secure and balanced housing market, but its success hinges on addressing the shortage of social housing and facilitating mortgage access for first-time buyers.
Read more »
Britain's Chagos Islands Surrender on Hold as Labour Seeks Trump's ApprovalIn a last-minute twist, Britain's imminent surrender of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius hangs in the balance as Labour Party negotiators seek President-elect Trump's approval. The deal, aiming to secure the future of an Anglo-American military base on the archipelago, has been met with criticism from both within and outside the Labour Party.
Read more »
Britain's Strictest Headteacher Slams Labour's School Reform Plan as 'Marxist'Katharine Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School, has criticized Labour's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, accusing the Education Secretary of being 'blinded by Marxist ideology'. The bill proposes to limit academy freedoms over pay, curriculum, staff recruitment, and uniform, which Ms. Birbalsingh argues will harm disadvantaged children. She argues that a rigid national curriculum will stifle creativity and that restrictions on pay and staff recruitment will make it harder to attract teachers to under-resourced schools.
Read more »
Britain's Strictest Headteacher Slams Labour's School Reforms, Accuses Education Secretary of Marxist BiasKatharine Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School, criticizes Labour's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions on academy freedoms will harm disadvantaged children and stifle innovation.
Read more »
Labour's Deregulatory Gamble Risks Britain's FutureThe author argues that the Labour government's focus on deregulation, particularly in planning and environmental protection, is misguided and will ultimately harm sustainable development in the UK.
Read more »
Looe property owner 'facing £400,000 bill over landslide repairs'Cornwall Council engineers stepped in after a retaining wall collapsed in February 2024.
Read more »