A LABOUR big beast has launched a devastating takedown of proposed assisted dying laws – telling his party to focus on migration and defence instead.
Lord Maurice Glasman – founder of the influential Blue Labour group – said he “loathed” the attempt to “give incentives to old people to die so that their children can get their hands on the house and some money.”
Lord Glasman has come out against the Assisted Dying BillUK Parliament
The peer’s first intervention on the thorny issue will likely give some party MPs pause for thought ahead of Friday’s final Commons vote to legalise assisted dying.
It will also send alarm bells ringing in Downing Street where top aides are trying to appeal to Labour’s traditional work-class voters.
In comments to The Sun, Lord Glasman said: “No parent wants to be a ‘burden’ on their children, and times are hard.
“This Bill is not only – and pardon my expression – an abortion in its messy confusion, it is also the opposite of what this Government should be supporting.
“We should love and cherish our old people, support families taking care of their parents and grandparents by supporting and subsidising the building of granny flats.”
He added: “Labour’s priority must be securing our borders, restoring our army and industrial strategy around defence spending.
“Solidarity not diversity must be our guiding principle, honouring our old people and the integrity of family life.”
The assisted dying legislation has come from Labour MP Kim Leadbeater as a private members bill, with MPs given free votes so they are not constrained by party lines.
At the last vote it passed with a 55 majority, with Sir Keir Starmer voting for it but Health Secretary Wes Streeting opposing. It would take just 28 switchers to bring down the Bill.
It will give terminally ill patients the right to end their lives, but original safeguards including a judge signing off every assisted dying case has been watered down to panel of experts.
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