Dame Esther Rantzen has urged MPs to attend the assisted dying debate, saying it is unlikely the issue will come before Parliament again in the next decade.
The broadcaster, who is terminally ill, has been a strong advocate for changing the law to allow dying adults to take their own lives in limited circumstances, without fear of their families being prosecuted for helping them.
She has written to MPs ahead of the debate on Friday, after which it is expected a vote will take place on whether to send the proposed legislation to a committee for further scrutiny.
She said no matter which way MPs feel on the controversial issue of assisted dying, they should attend the debate and listen to both sides and make a decision because “every vote will be crucial”.
In a letter in conjunction with pro-change campaign group Dignity in Dying, Dame Esther wrote that it was a “vital life-and-death issue” and one “we the public care desperately about”.
Her intervention comes as MPs continue to voice their opinions over the upcoming assisted dying vote in the Commons on Friday.
Key points
- Keir Starmer refuses to commit to no more tax hikes - PMQs
- Esther Rantzen urges MPs to attend ‘vital’ assisted dying debate
- Starmer hits back at Badenoch’s suggestion he resigns in light of general election petition
- Assisted dying Bill vote will be ‘very close’, says Leadbeater
- Former prime ministers unite against assisted dying as Grieve hints it is against rule of law
Hello
09:09 , Joe MiddletonGood morning and welcome to the The Independent’s politics blog covering everything in Westminster and beyond.
UK to water down electric car making rules as Vauxhall closes factory, putting 1,100 jobs at risk
09:10 , Joe MiddletonThe government will water down rules which demand car makers switch to making battery-powered cars after pressure from the industry.
But the move comes too late to save Vauxhall’s van plant in Luton, where 1,100 jobs are at risk.
Ministers have agreed to review rules which say at least 22 per cent of cars made in British factories must be battery-powered. Breaking the rules means either buying credits from competitors who are beating these targets or paying a fine of £15,000 per car.
Howard Mustoe reports
UK to water down electric car making rules as Vauxhall closes factory
Assisted Dying Bill will be scrutinised more than other legislation, says Leadbeater
09:17 , Joe MiddletonKim Leadbeater said she believes her Bill will probably be scrutinised more than other legislation because of the level of public debate on the issue of assisted dying.
The Labour MP told the Today programme: “In terms of time and scrutiny, look, this is not a new debate. This debate has been going on for decades.
“It’s been going on, as you quite rightly said, particularly in recent years, in no short part to due to high-profile campaigners like Esther Rantzen.
“But I think we can already see from what’s happened in the last few months, this Bill will receive more scrutiny and more discussion and more debate, probably, than any piece of legislation.”
Former prime ministers unite against assisted dying as Grieve hints it is against rule of law
09:20 , Joe MiddletonThree former prime ministers have come out against the assisted dying bill, as Dominic Grieve warned it would breach the rule of law.
Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Theresa May are all opposing the bill, which does not have the backing of a single former PM.
And ex-attorney general Mr Grieve claimed the bill would be blocked on several grounds by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Archie Mitchell reports
Former PMs unite against assisted dying as Grieve hints it is against rule of law
Assisted dying Bill will be ‘very close’, says Leadbeater
09:23 , Joe MiddletonKim Leadbeater said she thinks the vote on the assisted dying Bill will be “very close” and that it will get “hours and hours and hours of scrutiny” if MPs vote to put it through to the next stage on Friday.
The MP behind the Bill told BBC Breakfast: “MPs have been doing consultations with their constituents, holding events, holding round tables, doing huge amounts of amounts of research into this really important issue, and I think the vote will be very close.
“There are strongly held views on each side of the argument and there are people who instinctively feel that the law needs to change because it isn’t fit for purpose but, quite rightly, are concerned about the detail.
“And that’s why they’ve been analysing the Bill. The Bill has been out there for nearly three weeks now.
“They’ve been looking at it in great detail. And I think the sense is that people think the right thing to do is to pass the Bill at second reading, which would then mean we would go into the Committee stage in the new year, where there would be hours and hours and hours of scrutiny of the Bill.
“The debate will continue in the public domain, no doubt, as well.”
Irish leader’s gaffe blows election wide open and leaves Starmer facing Brexit reset setback
09:29 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer risks a blow to his pledge to reset relations with the European Union after Brexit amid fears one of his key allies could be ousted in Friday’s elections in Ireland.
The Labour prime minister has built a strong personal rapport with the Irish leader Simon Harris since his election in July.
But a new poll for The Irish Times suggests Mr Harris’s Fine Gael party has slumped from first to third place, after a gaffe which has been compared to Gordon Brown’s 2010 “bigoted woman” comments.
Kate Devlin reports
Irish leader’s gaffe blows election wide open as Starmer faces Brexit reset setback
Business secretary to give statement in Commons on electric vehicles
09:34 , Joe MiddletonBusiness secretary Jonathan Reynolds will give a statement in the Commons today after announcing a “fast-track” consultation on plans for boosting the number of electric vehicles.
Asked whether the phase out of new petrol and diesel vehicles under the zero-emission vehicles (Zev) mandate could happen as quickly as planned, minister Stephen Morgan told Sky News: “We’re going to work very closely with industry UK to make sure that this is rolled out effectively.
“There will be a consultation, which I know the Business Secretary will be setting out in due course, and there will be a statement in the House later today.”
He added: “It is absolutely right that we’ve got the right infrastructure in place to make this a suitable journey and an easy journey for motorists to move towards ... We’ve set out the ambition, we obviously need to take consumers with us.
“And I know that Johnny Reynolds would do a good job on this work, and he will also be setting out more detail on this later in the House.”
What is happening today?
09:39 , Joe Middleton9.30am: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) to publish data about domestic abuse in England and Wales.
Morning: Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, are due to visit a mental health charity in London.
Midday: Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.
12.30ish: Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds will make a statement to the Commons about.
3.30pm: Foreign secretary David Lammy it due to give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Watch: Overnight visitors to Wales could pay ‘tourism tax’, Welsh government announces
09:50 , Joe MiddletonComment: Why we can’t (and shouldn’t) separate God from the argument over assisted dying
10:03 , Joe MiddletonThat we are one people under God has long been the cornerstone of our treatment of others. Take it away and you take away what it means to be human, writes Catherine Pepinster
Why we can’t (and shouldn’t) separate the God argument from assisted dying
How a battle over defining a woman ended up in the UK’s highest court
10:14 , Joe MiddletonA lawyer fighting to establish what it means to be a woman has argued in the UK’s highest court that sex is an “immutable biological state”.
Aidan O’Neill KC, acting for campaigners in Scotland, made the arguments during the Supreme Court’s hearing of a legal challenge over the definition of what it means to be female.
The landmark case - which began on Tuesday - follows an ongoing debate between the Scottish government and campaigners.
The verdict will determine whether trans women should be considered female under the 2010 Equality Act as the case seeks to decide if sex amounts to the biological sex you are born with or your gender identity in the eyes of the law.
Maya Oppenheim reports
How a battle over defining a woman ended up in the UK’s highest court
How your MP is expected to vote on assisted dying
10:26 , Joe MiddletonParliament will vote on an assisted dying bill this Friday for the first time in nearly a decade.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater proposed the Private Members Bill in mid-October, which will legalise assisted death under certain conditions for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.
The Independent analysed public statements from all 650 MPs, in addition to news reports and other available information, to find which MPs will likely vote for or against the assisted dying bill this week. The analysis will be updated as more MPs come forward.
The bill is open to a “free vote”, meaning that the party whips will not dictate whether to support or oppose the bill. Individual MPs are free to vote based on their own values and opinions of their constituents, regardless of whether they are Labour, Tory, or otherwise.
Dame Esther Rantzen urges MPs to attend Commons debate on assisted dying
10:45 , Joe MiddletonDame Esther Rantzen has urged “as many MPs as possible” to attend Friday’s debate and listen to the arguments on both sides to make their minds up on assisted dying.
The broadcaster and Childline founder, who is terminally ill, has been a high-profile voice in the conversation for the past year, repeatedly calling for a change in what she has described as the “cruel” current law.
In an extract from a letter, released through pro-change campaign group Dignity in Dying, Dame Esther said: “This is such a vital life and death issue, one that we the public care desperately about, so it is only right that as many MPs as possible listen to the arguments for and against, and make up your own minds, according to your own conscience, your personal thoughts and feelings.”
Government launches tough new restraining order system for domestic abusers
11:00 , Joe MiddletonDomestic abusers will be subjected to strict new restraining orders to stop them from harassing their victims under new measures being rolled out by the government.
Domestic abuse protection notices and orders (DAPNs and DAPOs), which are being launched on Wednesday, are due to be tested out in parts of England and Wales before being implemented across the country.
Along with imposing exclusion zones, the orders can make positive requirements of abusers such as attending behaviour change programmes. Breaching the requirements of an order will be a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison.
Maya Oppenheim reports
Government launches tough new restraining order system for domestic abusers
Starmer may be ‘softening’ on Labour’s ‘tractor tax’, NFU president claims
11:15 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer may be softening his stance on changes to inheritance tax, according to the boss of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
After a meeting in No 10 with the prime minister on Monday, NFU president Tom Bradshaw claimed there was “a more conciliatory tone” regarding the controversial change which some have dubbed a “tractor tax”.
Mr Bradshaw added: “We are trying to give it a bit of room to breathe. He hasn’t guaranteed me anything but I think there is a general softening of lines and I don’t want to stoke the fire.”
Archie Mitchell reports
Starmer may be ‘softening’ on Labour’s ‘tractor tax’, NFU president claims
BREAKING: William Hague beats Peter Mandelson to become Oxford University chancellor
11:51 , Joe MiddletonWilliam Hague has beaten Peter Mandelson to become chancellor of the University of Oxford.
The former Conservative Party leader has been elected, it has been announced.
Earlier this month he warned that the Labour grandee could not be UK ambassador to the US and chancellor.
William Hague beats Peter Mandelson to become Oxford University chancellor
PMQs begins
12:04 , Joe MiddletonKeir Starmer is on his feet and PMQs has begun...
Starmer comments on Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire - PMQs
12:08 , Joe MiddletonFirstly the prime minister comments on the ceasefire that was struck between Israel and Hezbollah last night.
Sir Keir said: “We must seize this opportunity to build trust, de-escalate tensions and push for a wider ceasefire.”
Keir Starmer refuses to commit to no more tax hikes
12:09 , Archie MitchellKeir Starmer has refused to repeat Rachel Reeves’ commitment to not pushing through any further tax hikes.
The prime minister was asked by Kemi Badenoch if he could repeat the chancellor’s statement to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), when she said: “I’m clear I’m not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes.”
The PM said he was “fixing the foundations” of the economy, but would not repeat the pledge.
And he hit back, saying Ms Badenoch herself would not repeal his national insurance hike in the Budget.
Kemi Badenoch dubs Angela Rayner ‘ginger nut’
12:15 , Archie MitchellKemi Badenoch just rattled off a pun-riddled question which culminated in her dubbing Angela Rayner a “ginger nut”.
Referring to the boss of McVitie’s bakery products’ parent firm Pladis saying the case for investment in the UK is getting harder to see, Ms Badenoch said: “Let me give him another example of a real business.
“Following his Budget, the head of McVitie’s has said that it has been harder to understand what the case for investment in the UK is.
“So while the PM has been hobnobbing in Brazil, businesses have been struggling to digest his budget.”She added: “Isn’t it the case the Employment Rights Bill shows that it is not only the ginger nut that is causing him problems?”
Resign and find out', Badenoch challenges Starmer
12:19 , Millie CookeKemi Badenoch has challenged Sir Keir Starmer to resign, pointing to a petition signed by 2 million people calling for a general election in the UK.
After the prime minister told the Commons at PMQs that Ms Badenoch’s party hasn’t “got a clue what they’re doing”, the Tory leader responded: “If he wants to know what the Conservatives would do, he should resign and find out.”
“There’s a petition out there – 2 million people asking him to go. He’s the one who doesn’t know how things work, it’s not government that creates growth, it is business. Businesses say they are cutting jobs because of the chancellor’s budget”, she added.
Hitting back, Sir Keir said: “We had a massive petition on the fourth of July in this country.”
“We spent years taking our party from a party of protest to a party of government, theyre hurtling in the opposite direction”, the PM added.
Starmer challenged at PMQs by Badenoch over Vauxhall job losses
12:32 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer was challenged at PMQs about the potential job losses caused by Vauxhall-owner Stellantis saying it would close its van-making plant in Luton.
Kemi Badenoch suggested Sir Keir “doesn’t seem to care” about young people who will “lose their jobs as a result of his Budget”, adding in the Commons: “Perhaps he can show more concern for the 1,100 people who found out yesterday that they could lose their jobs at Vauxhall’s plant in Luton.
“So while he flies around making unilateral commitments, back home the real world effects are businesses closing in Bedfordshire and Basildon. Does the prime minister stand by his promise to ban the sale of petrol cars by 2030 even if more jobs will be lost?”
Sir Keir replied: “The question of the position of jobs in Luton is a very serious one and families and workers will be very worried and we’re obviously engaging with them.
“I would remind the leader of the Opposition that the EV (electric vehicle) mandates that are an issue in this particular case were actually introduced by the last government. I would also remind her that she was the business secretary that introduced them. We’re getting on with supporting those communities, she’s shouting from the sidelines.”
PMQs is over for the week...
12:40 , Joe MiddletonThe third clash between Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch has finished.
Starmer accused of being determined to defend ‘disastrous’ Tory Brexit policies - PMQs
12:49 , Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer has been accused of being determined to defend the Tories “disastrous” Brexit policies that have left the UK out of the single market and customs union.
Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard said: “We recognise that Labour is determined to defend the economically disastrous conservative policies of being outside the customs union and single market.
“However, does the prime minister agree with the principle that where it is in our country’s interest to maintain alignment with EU standards so we can better sell our products internationally, we align, and where it is in our interests to diverge, we diverge?”
Responding, the PM said: “We are determined to reset the relationship which we’ve already done. Obviously there will be no return to freedom of movement, customs union, the single market. But we can improve the situation when it comes to trading, security and cooperation. We’re actively working on that.”
Farmers continue protests in the Garden of England
13:11 , Joe MiddletonAway from the world of Westminster farmers are continuing to protest against the inheritance tax changes announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Budget last month.
Gareth Wyn Jones said that more than 100 tractors are making their way through Dover, Kent, on Wednesday afternoon.
Over 100 tractors ready to roll to Dover . pic.twitter.com/hVDEmhQpZ1
— Gareth Wyn Jones (@1GarethWynJones) November 27, 2024
Starmer hits back at Badenoch’s suggestion he resigns in light of general election petition
13:35 , Joe MiddletonSir Keir Starmer hit back at Kemi Badenoch’s suggestion that he should resign in light of a petition calling for a general election during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 27 November.
The Conservative leader told the prime minister: “There’s a petition out there, two million people asking him to go.”
Sir Keir referenced Labour’s large majority from this year’s general election as he dismissed Ms Badenoch’s calls for him to step down.
“She talks about a petition, we had a massive petition on the 4th of July in this country,” Sir Keir replied.
Starmer hits back at Badenoch’s suggestion he resigns in light of election petition
Rishi Sunak failed to turn up to smoking ban vote despite plan being his idea
14:00 , Joe MiddletonRishi Sunak failed to turn up to vote for a ban on young people ever being able to buy cigarettes, despite the former prime minister having introduced the idea in the first place.
MPs passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its second reading by 415 votes to 47, legislation which will make it illegal for anyone born after 2009 to buy tobacco at any point in their lives.
The plan was first announced by Mr Sunak at last year’s Tory conference in Manchester, where he promised to “ensure that future generations are smoke-free.”
But on Tuesday, Mr Sunak failed to turn up to show his support for the law. Meanwhile, his successor, Kemi Badenoch, voted against the ban.
Rishi Sunak failed to turn up to smoking ban vote despite plan being his idea
Watch: Badenoch challenges Starmer on general election petition
14:15 , Joe MiddletonKemi Badenoch’s three-word biscuit-themed swipe at Angela Rayner
14:30 , Joe MiddletonKemi Badenoch appeared to refer to Angela Rayner as “the ginger nut” during a heated Prime Minister’s Questions clash with Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday, 27 November.
The Conservative leader took a biscuit-themed swipe at the deputy prime minister as she referred to the boss of McVitie’s bakery products’ parent firm Pladis saying the case for investment in the UK is getting harder to see.
“While the PM has been hobnobbing in Brazil, businesses have been struggling to digest his budget.” She added: “Isn’t it the case the Employment Rights Bill shows that it is not only the ginger nut that is causing him problems?”
Kemi Badenoch’s three-word biscuit-themed swipe at Angela Rayner
Is assisted dying a compassionate step forward or a dangerous precedent? Join The Independent Debate
14:45 , Joe MiddletonThe debate over assisted dying has reignited, with Parliament gearing up for a historic vote on Friday.
If passed, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow those with less than six months to live to end their lives with medical assistance, under strict safeguards requiring approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.
The issue is divisive, raising profound ethical, religious, and societal questions: and now we want to know where you stand. Is assisted dying a compassionate step forward or a dangerous precedent?
Share your thoughts in the comments — we’ll feature the most compelling responses
Compassionate step forward or dangerous precedent: Have your say on assisted dying
Comment: Why Starmer has stayed silent over his views on assisted dying – and how that could backfire
14:51 , Joe MiddletonStrangely, despite backing the bill in 2015, the prime minister has refused to state his views ahead of the crucial vote, writes Andrew Grice – who believes he should be leading the debate from the front
Starmer has stayed silent over his views on assisted dying – and it could backfire
Esther Rantzen urges MPs to attend ‘vital’ assisted dying debate
15:18 , Joe MiddletonDame Esther Rantzen has urged MPs to attend the assisted dying debate, saying it is unlikely the issue will come before Parliament again in the next decade.
The broadcaster, who is terminally ill, has been a strong advocate for changing the law to allow dying adults to take their own lives in limited circumstances, without fear of their families being prosecuted for helping them.
She has written to MPs ahead of the debate on Friday, after which it is expected a vote will take place on whether to send the proposed legislation to a committee for further scrutiny.
The 84-year-old revealed in December last year that she had joined Dignitas, to give her the choice of an assisted death in Switzerland.
She said no matter which way MPs feel on the controversial issue of assisted dying, they should attend the debate and listen to both sides and make a decision because “every vote will be crucial”.
In a letter in conjunction with pro-change campaign group Dignity in Dying, Dame Esther wrote: “Please forgive me contacting you to ask you to attend the debate on Kim Leadbeater’s Bill on Friday November 29th, and please vote.”
She described it as a “vital life-and-death issue” and one “we the public care desperately about”.
She added: “So it is only right that as many MPs as possible listen to the arguments for and against, and make up your own minds, according to your own conscience, your personal thoughts and feelings.”
She pleaded with MPs to attend and vote, “whether you agree with my decision or not”.
EXCLUSIVE: Assisted dying is a slippery slope turning NHS into the ‘national death service’, warns Tory grandee
15:25 , Joe MiddletonA top former cabinet minister has become the latest political grandee to oppose the assisted dying bill, warning that it could change the National Health Service into “a national death service”.
Liam Fox, who is a practising doctor and was the shadow health secretary for more than four years, believes it would be impossible to prevent “the slippery slope scenario” of the bill being expanded beyond terminal illness and branded the safeguards in the legislation as “false”.
His warning reflects concerns among the wider public highlighted in polling seen by The Independent which shows that 50 per cent do not believe the NHS is in a fit state to administer assisted dying.
David Maddox and Archie Mitchell report
Assisted dying is slippery slope turning NHS into ‘national death service’ - Liam Fox
Government should consider higher taxes on wealth, says top think-tank
15:28 , Joe MiddletonMinisters should consider higher taxes on wealth such as inheritance tax as its value has far outstripped the growth in wages, a report has said.
Another means of tackling the unfairness of “Big Wealth“ would be to provide a better safety net for the least well-off, such as more affordable homes and adult social care, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
Tom Clark, author of the progressive think tank’s latest report, said attempts by the Labour Government to address wealth inequality had already run “into an almighty backlash”.
But he said ministers should continue this work as it could help those who do not have family wealth to succeed in their careers, get on the property ladder and earn more money.
Mr Clark, a journalist specialising in social sciences, said: “Wealth begets wealth, and the children of the very wealthy don’t just inherit more, but thanks to gold-plated education, introductions to the right social circles and financial cushioning that enables them to take more chances in their careers, they will also earn more and have better life chances to spend their time as they wish.”
Ministers have been criticised over plans announced at the Budget which will bring farmers into paying inheritance tax on property worth more than £1 million, when they previously benefitted from a tax break.
Plans to charge VAT on the fees of private schools have also come under fire from the Government’s political opponents.
Mr Clark added: “The first budget of the new Labour Government took a few extremely tentative steps to address some of the issues associated with ‘Big Wealth‘, and even that is running into an almighty backlash. However the reality is that a lot more still needs to be done.”
The IPPR report says earnings from wealth - storing value in things like property, stocks and shares - is fast outstripping the value of earning cash from a job.
The wealthiest 10 per cent own 57 per cent of wealth in the UK, while the bottom 30% own little more than £1 in every £100, according to the think tank’s analysis.
If not addressed, the IPPR warns the divide between “have-a-lots” and “have-nots” will grow and block opportunities for millions.
Former chief EU negotiator joins calls for young Britons to be able to live and work in Europe
15:50 , Joe MiddletonThe EU’s former chief negotiator has piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to strike a deal with Brussels that would allow young people to live and work in Europe as part of his post-Brexit reset.
In a policy brief setting out the potential future EU-UK relationship, Ignacio Garcia Bercero called on the prime minister to strike an agreement on youth mobility and cultural facilitation as part of a series of deals with Brussels to complement the existing Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which currently governs trade with the bloc.
Sir Keir has so far ruled out agreeing such a scheme, which would let under-30s live, study and work across the bloc for a period, despite it being one of the EU’s top priorities in renewed talks.
Archie Mitchell reports
Ex-chief EU negotiator calls for young Britons to be able to live and work in Europe
BREAKING: Kemi Badenoch suggests Brexit is not working as Tory leader says party ‘did not deliver’
15:56 , Joe MiddletonKemi Badenoch has admitted that Brexit isn’t working, saying the previous government “did not deliver” after the country voted to end free movement.
“We ended free movement, but the system that replaced it is not working”, the Tory leader told a press conference in Westminster.
“Under my leadership, we are learning from our mistakes and it is time for a new approach.”
Millie Cooke reports on this breaking story
Badenoch suggests Brexit is not working as Tory leader says party ‘did not deliver’
Dozens of tractors stage go-slow protest
16:34 , Joe MiddletonDozens of tractors have staged a go-slow protest on the roads of Dover calling on the government to “stop betraying” British farming and rural communities.
Farmers have been driving alongside lorries in the port town bearing signs on tractors including “Stop Substandard Imports” and “No Farmers No Food No Future”.
The action follows outrage from agricultural landowners about the government’s proposed tax changes, which will see farmers pay inheritance tax on properties and land worth more than £1 million.
Protest organisers Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers campaign groups said the Labour Government’s Budget was a “hammer blow” to the industry already on its knees and called on ministers to axe inheritance tax, stop substandard imports and scrap carbon tax on fertiliser alongside other measures.
Organiser and Kent beef farmer Matt Cullen said: “It’s time for farmers to stand up and fight back, and it’s time to show the Government that things will escalate more if they don’t sit down and talk to us.”
