Chris Mason: Wes Streeting faces pushback over assisted dying stance

And now, Streeting’s cabinet colleague Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, has spoken out in support of the bill, telling me: “I have always believed in giving people as much choice and control as possible.”

She added: “With all the right safeguards that this bill has, I believe it is an important step forward on such a difficult issue.

“Fewer and fewer of us have the sudden deaths that used to happen in the past. People often have a long and slower death. And we do need to talk about what makes for a good death.”

Kendall insisted she was “a great champion of Wes Streeting”, but pointedly added “this is something people have different views about”.

One of Streeting’s team told me: “Wes has approached this issue in a genuine, thoughtful and considerate way, setting out his own view while respecting others’ views.”

They said he had initially been asked his views in a private meeting of Labour MPs, but once that leaked, he felt it necessary to explain publicly why he had come to his opinion.

The debate highlights the peril for the government, even when it grants all its MPs, including ministers, a free vote on an issue.

Were the bill to pass, would that leave the health secretary unable to carry on in his role?

His team insist he would carry on, and point out other ministers in the health department disagree with him, so it is certain some health ministers will find themselves on the losing side of the argument.

And what about the prime minister? He has previously set out his support for a change in the law, but will he make that view explicit again this time?

And how awkward could it be if he found himself on the losing side of the argument, were hundreds of his own MPs to oppose a change?

The first vote on the issue will take place in the Commons at the end of the month.