SIR Keir Starmer yesterday slapped down his Health Secretary for wading into the assisted dying debate.
The PM insisted the Government’s position on the issue should remain “neutral” when asked about Wes Streeting‘s vocal opposition to the Bill.
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Speaking on his way to the G20 Summit in Rio, he told reporters: “It’s a free vote, and it’s very important that it remains a free vote, because people feel very strongly about this.
“And that’s not a political divide. It’s a sort of individual divide….
“That’s why there’ll be a free vote. I’m not going to say or do anything that will put pressure on other people in relation to their vote.
“Every MP will have to make his or her mind up and decide what they want to do when that vote comes a week on Friday.”
Sir Keir also confirmed he will vote on the Bill but did not yet reveal which way he will go.
Mr Streeting sparked fury last week by declaring he’ll vote against the Bill, suggesting it could pile pressure on NHS budgets and lead to cuts elsewhere.
Under the legislation, put forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, terminally ill adults with less than six months to live would be able to end their lives – with approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.
MPs have been given a free vote on the legislation, which will initially be debated on November 29. Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman accused the Health Secretary of having “crossed the line” in saying how he was going to vote as she believed that “breaches neutrality and sends a signal”.
Baroness Margaret Hodge urged him to “just hold fire a little bit” and described it as “a bit daft” to argue that assisted dying would cost the health service more.
This morning, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson indicated she will also oppose the Bill but said she was trying to handle the conversation around assisted dying in a “responsible way”.
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said she intends to vote in favour, as she did previously.
