MP to reintroduce assisted dying bill after it cleared Commons but ran out of time in Lords

Rochester and Strood MP Lauren Edwards announced on Sunday that she will reintroduce the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Edwards came second in the ballot for private members' bills in the new parliamentary session and is expected to formally introduce the measure to the Commons on Wednesday, June 17.

The original bill cleared the House of Commons by a margin of 23 votes before running out of time in the House of Lords in April amid a large number of amendments.

Sir Keir Starmer's support was described as crucial for securing the narrow majority in the Commons. Edwards stated that the will of the House of Commons must be given primacy. She called assisted dying "a long overdue reform" and said the bill had been blocked only by a minority in the Lords.

"After giving the matter a great deal of thought, I will be reintroducing the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill," Edwards said in her Sunday statement. " Edwards added that the elected chamber should decide what becomes law. She said Parliament owes terminally ill people and their families a final decision on choice at the end of life.

Labour MP Ashley Dalton warned that the bill should not be a priority for the government. Dalton cited crises including the stagnant economy, cost of living pressures, and military spending after the resignation of former defence secretary John Healey.

"This Bill would hand sweeping unchecked powers over life and death and our NHS to future governments, whatever their political persuasion," Dalton said.

Wes Streeting, a declared leadership challenger to Sir Keir Starmer and former health secretary, is opposed to the legislation. Andy Burnham's position remains unclear. A petition signed by over 550 constituents urged Edwards not to reintroduce the bill.