Labour MP Naz Shah has withdrawn her backing for Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill, citing concerns over what she describes as “fundamentally flawed” safeguards that are weaker than those included in the version MPs considered in November.
Shah, who was initially a supporter of the bill and played a key role in scrutinizing it as a member of the parliamentary committee, announced her change of stance following the conclusion of the committee stage last Wednesday. She argued that the current version fails to provide adequate protections, raising fears about potential risks and unintended consequences.
The controversial bill has been met with strong resistance, with MPs proposing a total of 393 amendments. Of these, 330 were rejected, 31 were withdrawn before a vote, and 32 were ultimately accepted. The sheer volume of proposed changes reflects the deep divisions and complex ethical concerns surrounding the legislation.
Kim Leadbeater, the bill’s sponsor, has defended the updated version, arguing that the amendments have strengthened the proposed law rather than weakened it. In a letter to MPs, she highlighted key revisions, including the establishment of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission—to be chaired by a judge or retired judge—which aims to provide rigorous oversight of the process.
As the debate over assisted dying continues, the bill’s fate remains uncertain, with MPs divided over whether the proposed legislation offers sufficient safeguards while respecting individual autonomy.
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