Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch faced off in a showdown at PMQs for the third time. The topic of assisted dying was a hotly debated issue among MPs, with former prime ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Theresa May all opposing the upcoming bill. Kim Leadbeater, the MP behind the bill, expressed that the vote would be closely contested and would receive extensive scrutiny if passed to the next stage on Friday.
Additionally, the prime minister commented on the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, emphasizing the need to build trust and de-escalate tensions in the region. In other news, William Hague has been elected as the chancellor of the University of Oxford, beating Peter Mandelson.
Furthermore, Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on changes to inheritance tax, dubbed the “tractor tax” by some, may be softening according to the National Farmers’ Union president. The government has also rolled out strict new restraining orders for domestic abusers, aimed at preventing harassment of victims.
Dame Esther Rantzen, a prominent voice in the debate on assisted dying, urged MPs to attend the Commons debate and listen to arguments from both sides to make an informed decision. The bill, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, will legalize assisted death under certain conditions for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.
Moreover, a lawyer fighting to establish the definition of a woman argued in the UK’s highest court that sex is an “immutable biological state.” The case will determine whether trans women should be considered female under the Equality Act of 2010, based on biological sex or gender identity.
Overall, the PMQs showdown between Starmer and Badenoch highlighted the contentious issue of assisted dying, while other significant developments in the political landscape, such as the appointment of William Hague as chancellor of the University of Oxford and the introduction of restraining orders for domestic abusers, underscored the ongoing challenges and debates in the UK political arena.
