On Friday, Guido noted the inevitable civil war that would ensue if a Labour MP brought back the assisted suicide Bill. Just a few days later that civil war is now raging after Rochester & Strood MP, Lauren Edwards, announced her politically clueless plan to bring back Kim Leadbeater’s failed Bill…
Labour MPs are in meltdown over the plan. Adam Jogee was first out of the blocks, describing the move as “deeply divisive”, “insane” and as “bad bad news”. Ashley Dalton, who has spoken about her own terminal illness, said: “Very sad to see my colleague Lauren Edwards MP bringing the deeply flawed and unsafe Assisted Dying Bill back as a PMB”. Emma Lewell summed up the views of many: “Absolutely dismayed that the Assisted Dying Bill is being re-introduced. Not a single one of our major medical or professional bodies support it. A deeply flawed and dangerous bill that poses a real risk to the most vulnerable in our society”. Dozens more joined in this morning, summing up the massive issue this will cause inside the PLP…
Labour bigwigs also oppose the move, including ‘Deputy PM’ David Lammy, former ‘Deputy PM’ Angela Rayner, new No10 adviser and former PM Gordon Brown, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, leadership contender Wes Streeting, Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds, Chief Secretary to the PM Darren Jones, and Scottish Leader Anas Sarwar. Likely incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham supports the concept but is said to have told friends he does not want to see a Bill brought back; his in-tray is difficult enough as it is. Pollster Andrew Hawkins (founder of ComRes and Whitestone Insight) pointed out that reviving the Bill would be “electorally catastrophic” for Labour MPs…
Meanwhile, Guido understands that eating disorder, domestic abuse and disability rights charities campaigned outside Lauren Edwards’ constituency office last weekend. Elon Musk previously drew attention to language she had used in old tweets, having posted: “I want these f*cking Estonian retards out of my flat”. Edwards does not have to formally present her Bill until Wednesday lunchtime. That gives the PLP 48 hours to change her mind. Just like those flat-dwelling Estonians, Labour MPs want her Bill thrown out…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”