UK’s longest-serving MPs unite to oppose assisted dying bill

As the longest-serving female and male MPs in Parliament, Abbott and Sir Edward hold the titles of Mother and Father of the House.

The two MPs – who between them have nearly 80 years of parliamentary experience – also objected to the timetable for debating the bill.

They noted that in 2015, the last time a similar bill was introduced, MPs had seven weeks to read the bill before debating it in the House of Commons, whereas Leadbeater’s bill had been published just 18 days ahead of the first debate.

“The inadequacy of this timescale is heightened by the unprecedented number of new MPs,” they said.

“Parliament will have sat for just 12 weeks by the time MPs vote on what is, quite literally, a matter of life and death.”

“Many MPs are still relatively unfamiliar with normal parliamentary procedure, let alone for private members’ bills, of which this will be the first in this Parliament.”

Private members’ bills are pieces of legislation proposed by backbenchers, rather than the government.

Following debate of the bill, MPs will get a free vote, meaning they will not have to follow any party line.

If the bill passes its first vote, it will received further scrutiny from MPs and peers.

In order to become law it would need approval from both the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Earlier this week, former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman insisted the bill would get “as many days as necessary”.

She said the “only time constraint” was that, in order to pass, the bill needed to complete all its stages by November 2025.

“I don’t think the government is showing any signs of wanting to restrict debate.”