Assisted dying bill could be axed before MPs get to vote

The assisted dying bill could be axed before it has a chance to be voted on, as a group of MPs have tabled an amendment that could stop it in its tracks.

- MILLIE COOKE

MPs are scheduled to vote on Friday on Kim Leadbeater's private member's bill, which if passed would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults. But a cross-party group of MPs, comprising Conservative MP Ben Spencer, Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson, and Labour’s Anna Dixon, have co-sponsored a so-called “wrecking amendment”, which would scupper the bill if enough MPs supported it.

It comes after some MPs expressed fears that the legislation has been rushed. If the amendment were selected, it would be voted on during the second reading of the bill, but before a vote on the bill takes place. If it attracted majority support from MPs, it would stop the bill from progressing to a vote.

Ms Leadbeater, who sponsored the bill, told The Independent that the amendment in question is evidently intended to “prevent this vital issue being debated at all”. While she noted that the selection of amendments is “entirely a matter for the speaker”, she added: “I believe parliament would be failing in its duty if it did not take this opportunity to address a reform that is long overdue and has overwhelming public support.

“As the leader of the house, Lucy Powell, has said, my private member’s bill will have at least as much time for debate and scrutiny as any other piece of legislation. I look forward to starting that process with a respectful and compassionate debate on Friday.”