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The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that he will not put any pressure on Labour MPs with regards to their votes on whether to legalise assisted dying. This comes as cabinet ministers continue to show their split opinions over the subject which is to be voted on in the House of Commons at the end of next week. MPs will be granted a free vote, meaning that their parties are not telling them how to vote.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has shared her opposition to the change in the law, which is now backed up by senior ministers Angela Rayner, Shabana Mahmood, Jonathan Reynolds and Wes Streeting. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband are among the Cabinet supporters for the change in the law.
The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, told all ministers they should “not take part in the public debate,” adding that it was “ridiculous” to expect the health secretary, Wes Streeting, not to give his view. On Friday morning, Boris Johnson had a face-to-face talk with the health secretary which, a source claimed, amounted to a telling off for Mr Streeting. However, the Department of Health, as well as Downing Street, have denied any outstanding issues between the two men exist.
Some ministers recognise that the health secretary and justice secretary may face more questions than usual on the issue, given that they would be responsible for implementing any change in the law. However, their opposition to such a change showcases the tensions this is causing within the government, highlighting the potential dilemma that Boris Johnson could face if he ends up on the losing side of the argument. This has led to further conversations at the top of the government to address this issue and minimise the risk of creating an “unnecessary mess.”
Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has previously supported the change in the law, stating that he will vote a week next Friday. He said that he would not “say or do anything that will put pressure on other people in relation to their vote,” when asked whether he thought the Health Secretary had broken the government’s understanding to remain neutral on the issue
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