Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill returns to the Commons on 13 June for its Report Stage, where further amendments will be considered ahead of its Third Reading, scheduled for 20 June. Although the Bill passed its Second Reading with a majority of 55, its future is far from certain – with sources saying the next vote is on a “knife-edge.” Thirteen MPs who voted in favour of the Bill and have publicly said they will either vote against it or abstain at Third Reading. Unlike in the other direction, where no MPs have publicly switched…
Campaign group Dignity in Dying has already turned its focus to the Lords in anticipation of the Bill clearing the Commons. In a recent email to supporters in constituencies where MPs voted against the Bill, the group urged them to write directly to members of the Lords. The email reads:
“Your MP has made their opposition to the Leadbeater Bill clear. While that’s frustrating… it’s an opportunity. Unlike MPs, Peers don’t have staff to manage their emails – so a simple, heartfelt letter is the most effective way to convince them to support the Bill… Prefer to handwrite your letter? Great! We’ll assign you a Peer to write to.”
A Times poll last month showed 42% of MPs are against the Bill, with just 36% in favour. Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood are the most prominent cabinet figures to have spoken out against the bill – Starmer voted in favour at the second reading. With divisions emerging inside Labour’s ranks, No. 10 may be looking at ways to manage yet another red-on-red row. All to play for…
Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill is back in the spotlight, with reports suggesting the Third Reading will be set for 25 April, and Committee scrutiny finishing off this Tuesday and Wednesday. Last week, the Public Bill Committee voted through Leadbeater’s proposal to scrap High Court oversight in favor of a so-called “Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner”. Critics are already dubbing the role the “Death Czar”…
With the bill creeping closer to law, campaign group Dignity in Dying – bankrolled by mystery donors and backing Leadbeater’s push – has restarted its spending spree. Having not advertised in England since after the Second Reading in November, Dignity and Dying has dusted off the credit card, splashing £1,637 on Facebook ads in the last ten days. In their call to arms the group states that “we have two more votes to win in Spring this year. We have until then to lobby MPs to support amendments and vote it through,” proudly touting their “experience of the Second Reading victory” . The fight begins again…
Guido couldn’t help but notice that the campaign group backing Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill, Dignity in Dying, is ramping up its online advertising game. In the past 90 days alone, they’ve splashed out an eye-watering £181,122 on Facebook and Instagram ads, while since 2018, the total spend has topped £650,000. Someone certainly found their credit card…
Dignity in Dying’s filings with Companies House reveal that in 2022 and 2023, the group hauled in £1,283,466 from ‘High Value Donors’—though exactly who these donors are or how many there are remains shrouded in mystery. Meanwhile, their sister charity, Compassion in Dying, also run by the same CEO, does disclose major donors to the Charity Commission. The two are practically joined at the hip, sharing office space, staff, and various resources…
One of the more notable donors to Compassion in Dying is the “Church Street Trustees,” who handed over £204,009 in 2022 and another £100,000 in 2023. The body is registered in Jersey and allegedly appeared in the Panama Papers back in 2016. Should the Bill pass, it’s not clear whether any private companies will be involved in the provision of this service. Though the public deserve the right to know…
Reform MP Danny Kruger welcomed adult film star Bonnie Blue’s support for the party, adding:
“I’m not going to be judgemental about people who want to vote Reform. We want all the support we can get – quite like Bonnie Blue.”