Politics latest: Elon Musk ‘shouldn’t be interfering’ with UK politics

Not since 2015 has parliament considered whether to legalise assisted dying, when they voted emphatically against any change in the law.

But this Friday, MPs will again be asked to consider the matter via Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

It’s exposed divisions in Keir Starmer’s cabinet – with big names falling on both sides of the debate.

Who’s voting for?

Peter Kyle: The science secretary voted in favour of assisted dying in 2015 and, according to the LabourList website, he has told constituents this is still his position and the issue for him is a matter of “social justice”.

Ed Miliband: The energy secretary has described the current situation as “cruel” for people who are terminally ill and in pain and said he would vote for the bill.

Louise Haigh: The transport secretary is still considering the bill but told Sky News at the weekend that she is “leaning towards” voting in favour of assisted dying.

Yvette Cooper: The home secretary said she voted for assisted dying in the past “about 20 years ago…and continues to believe that change is needed”.

Jo Stevens: The Wales secretary voted for assisted dying in 2015 and will do so again later this month.

Liz Kendall: The work and pensions secretary told the BBC last week she would vote in favour of the bill.

Sir Alan Campbell: According to the LabourList website, the chief whip will back the assisted dying bill – a change on his position from 2015, when he voted it down.

Lisa Nandy: Concerns about a lack of dignity at the end of life swayed the culture secretary towards voting, saying she’s “seen too many examples of people who have no choices and no dignity at the end of their lives”.

Stephen Kinnock: The minister of state for social care told ITV he thinks backing assisted dying “is the right thing to do from the point of view of compassion”.

Hilary Benn: The Northern Ireland secretary also voted in favour of the 2015 bill and wrote on his website last month that he would do so again.

Who’s voting against?

Wes Streeting: The health secretary has warned of a “chilling slippery slope argument” where people opt for assisted dying to save someone money, claimed end-of-life care isn’t good enough for people to make an informed choice, and suggested it’ll place more pressure on the NHS.

Shabana Mahmood: Another early voice in the debate against assisted dying, the justice secretary has cited her Muslim faith as a reason to vote against and described assisted dying as death “as a service”.

Angela Rayner: The deputy prime minster voted against assisted dying in 2015 and is understood not to have changed her mind.

Jonathan Reynolds: The business secretary voted against in 2015 and said his position hadn’t changed as he’s concerned about how “vulnerable people could be protected”.

Bridget Phillipson: The education secretary told Sky News she voted against assisted dying in 2015 and added hasn’t changed her mind.

link