The UK Prime Minister may have the regal touch in northern England, but he’s been wrong-footed on the constitutional challenges posed by the Celtic Alliance of first ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, argues KENNY MacASKILL
IN 2015, the last major attempt to legalise assisted suicide in Britain was resoundingly defeated in the House of Commons with a vote of 330 against and 118 in favour. At the time, Jeremy Corbyn spoke against the Bill, saying to supporters: “This Bill would put the most vulnerable people at risk.”
Pointing to the flaws in our social care system, Corbyn was rightly fearful of how legalised assisted suicide would impact vulnerable members of society. “I don’t believe we should be talking about assisted dying until our social care and health care systems have been improved sufficiently with a focus on the sick and elderly,” he added.
Fast forward to today, following the economic impacts of Covid-19, a health system that is on its knees, reports of horrific treatment of residents in care homes, and a cost-of-living crisis, and Corbyn’s words don’t seem radical enough for our current economic climate.
HOPE VIRGO of campaign Dump the Scales warns MPs voting today they should be alert to the threat legalised assisted death poses to people with eating disorders
ELLEN CLIFFORD of Disabled People Against Cuts takes the Morning Star through the serious deficiencies which leave vulnerable people at lethal risk
The new prime minister has shown a willingness to reconsider his previous views on assisted suicide and focus on improving care services. CHRIS WHITEHOUSE hopes other MPs will do likewise


