Sir Keir Starmer ‘doubles down’ on free vote on assisted dying but hints it won't be in first year of Labour government

12 July 2024, 06:02

Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer. Picture: Alamy
Natasha Clark

By Natasha Clark

Sir Keir Starmer has doubled down on his promise for a vote to change the law to allow assisted dying.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Prime Minister told LBC he would honour his commitment made before the election to give MPs a free vote on whether to change the law.

But he suggested it would not be in the first year of a Labour government, as he had other priorities to sort out first.

Speaking to LBC and other media on the way to Washington DC for his first international summit, he insisted he would still like to see a private members’ bill from a backbench MP get used to change the law.

And he revealed he had looked at “tens of cases” of this during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions.

He insisted that he’d not made a decision on when the timing could take place, but insisted he would not row back on his commitment.

Read more: Dame Esther Rantzen says she will 'open a bottle of champagne live on air' if assisted dying vote goes ahead

Read more: British woman with terminal breast cancer euthanised on New Zealand beach after urging for assisted dying law change

Dame Esther Rantzen joins Nick Ferrari

The PM said: “I will double down on that commitment – we will allow time for a private members bill, and there will be a free vote.

“Having probably got more experience than most people, having personally looked at tens of cases in my time as DPP.

“I haven’t made a commitment on timing and don’t want to… I’m not going back on the commitment I made, but we have got to set out priorities for the first year or so.”

Follow the NATO summit on LBC
Follow the NATO summit on LBC. Picture: LBC

Dame Esther Rantzen, the former TV presenter, has said she will open a bottle of champagne live on air if a vote on assisted dying takes place.

The legendary broadcaster, who is suffering from cancer, has called for a change in the law to allow people suffering like her to be able to end their life with dignity, at a time they choose.

The King’s Speech is expected to include top aims for the government including on the NHS, prisons, putting VAT on school fees, and other promises from Labour’s manifesto.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Joanne Sharkey pictured outside court

Woman who suffocated her newborn baby and left his body in woods in 1998 avoids prison

Breaking
Breaking News

China announces additional 34% tariffs on US imports in retaliation over Trump's 'Liberation Day' levies

'NHS dentistry is broken', says MP.

'NHS dentistry is broken': Plan to boost service has ‘resulted in worsening the picture’, say MPs

Breaking
Dr Livia Tossici-Bolt at Poole Magistrates' Court

Anti-abortion campaigner guilty of breaching buffer zone outside UK clinic

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed.

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed - see the full ranking

Whitney Ainscough has claimed to make almost £500,000 a year by showing people how to exploit the benefits system.

Fury as benefits 'influencers' tell people how to 'game' the system - with one woman claiming to make £500k a year

Older people are less likely to be given antibiotics for common infections by their GP compared with younger adults, a new study suggests.

Elderly people less likely to be given antibiotics despite higher risk, study says

Friends of Prince Andrew say he's "unsurprised" Giuffre made the post

Prince Andrew 'not surprised' his accuser shared shock post saying she had 'four days to live'

Westminster Council is offering staff an online ‘privilege walk’ quiz

'Britain’s wokest council' tells staff to take quiz to check their privilege

Exclusive
Wayne Newman, a pest control expert from OP Kill Pest Control.

'It's a losing battle': On the road with Birmingham's pest control as they tackle city's rat infestation amid bin strike

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as impeachment upheld over martial law declaration

NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, results from the latest staff survey have revealed.

Hospital of horrors: NHS 'plagued by rats and cockroaches' as well as 'sewage leaks and crumbling ceilings'

Sadiq Khan will get new powers to overrule councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Boost for London's nightlife as Khan goes to war with local councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen to put out seven 'lost' albums of unreleased songs

Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Tom Cruise breaks silence on 'dear friend' Val Kilmer's death with emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence