Afternoon summary
Keir Starmer has indicated that he would guarantee government time for MPs to debate a private member’s bill to allow assisted dying. (See 9.26am.) He also said MPs should have a free vote, and that he would be in favour. The offer of making government time available is significant because, without that, it is relatively easy for MPs opposed to a backbench bill to use filibustering to ensure it never passes.
Rishi Sunak has declined an invitation to criticise the Conservative MP who said most of the children struggling in the MP’s town were “products of crap parents”. (See 12.49pm.)
Tributes have poured in for Derek Draper, the political lobbyist turned psychotherapist and husband of the TV presenter Kate Garraway, who has died at the age of 56. The former Labour leader Ed Miliband has become the latest senior party figure to express his condolences. He published this message on X:
I am deeply sorry to hear of the death of Derek Draper. He was someone of deep intelligence, values and wit who was the life and soul of the many worlds he inhabited, including politics.
I first met Derek 30 years ago and like anyone who met him I was drawn into his orbit by his charisma and love of life. He was a loyal and good friend to so many. The last few years have been a living nightmare for him and his family. All of my deepest condolences go out to Kate, Darcey and Billy and all his family.
I am deeply sorry to hear of the death of Derek Draper. He was someone of deep intelligence, values and wit who was the life and soul of the many worlds he inhabited, including politics.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) January 5, 2024
I first met Derek 30 years ago and like anyone who met him... (1/2)
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Rishi Sunak has also been visiting Altrincham and Sale West, where the Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee, is standing down at the next election. Brady had a majority of 6,139 at the last election. Even in 1997 it stayed Tory.
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