Kim Leadbeater MBE MP

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Member of Parliament for Spen Valley

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Three years on from the horrific October 7th attacks on Israel, we remember those who were senselessly killed by Hamas terrorists. Lives were lost and many more changed forever. I am thinking of everyone who continues to feel the impact of that day.

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

There is so much to remember Dame Esther Rantzen for, from the many brilliant episodes of ‘That’s Life’ to founding Childline & The Silver Line, to her tireless campaigning for Choice at the End of Life. Her legacy will live on through the lives she changed and the causes she championed.

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

I have reflected at length about what happened in Parliament on Friday. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me with their heartbreaking personal stories and campaigned on this issue for far too long. I am so sorry. Please see my statement below. Many thanks, Kim

@paulbrand.bsky.socialReposted by @kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

NEW: 100+ peers have urged MPs to pass the assisted dying bill when it returns on Fri. They accuse a minority of peers of ‘filibustering’ last time and say Lords must complete scrutiny. They include former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell & Burnham’s political hero Neil Kinnock.

oF September 2026 To all Members of Parliament, We write as Members of the House of Lords regarding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which will be debated in the Commons this coming Friday, September 11th. This will allow Parliament to reach conclusion on an important piece of legislation that was first introduced in October 2024. It was great disappointment to us, and to large number of our colleagues in the Upper House, that we were unable to complete all the Bill’s stages in the last session, despite clear majority of MPs having voted for it. The Bill was not defeated in the Lords. After it received an unopposed Second Reading, delaying tactics by small minority of opponents prevented it getting to Report Stage where votes could have been taken. The unprecedented number of amendments tabled, the length of time taken to debate them, and the refusal of opponents to agree schedule to enable us to get through more than seven of its 53 clauses prevented us from completing our task. By stalling the Bill in this way, minority of peers prevented our House fulfilling its proper constitutional function. Our responsibility is to bring our own collective experience and expertise to bear in scrutinising and suggesting revisions to legislation before returning it to the elected chamber. In this case, we failed to do what was rightly expected of us. The Bill being debated on Friday is the same as the one we were sent last year with the addition of amendments accepted by us without vote. If it is sent back to us again as quickly as possible, as we hope it will be, the Lords will be able to complete the task that we were prevented from finishing earlier this year. It can go through all its stages and be returned to you for final decision in the normal way. It is for the Commons to decide on whether to support and pass the Bill. It is for the Lords to scrutinise and where appropriate amend and then return the Bill to the Commons. If the Commons decide to return the BilYours sincerely, Lord O’Donnell Baroness Harman Lord Blunkett Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links Lord Kinnock Lord Jack of Courance Lord Young of Cookham Baroness Hayman Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Lord Barber of Ainsdale Baroness Featherstone Lord Patel Lord Robertson of Port Ellen Baroness Wilcox of Newport Lord Alderdice Baroness Wheatcroft Lord Dobbs Baroness Murphy Lord Shamash Lord Bassam Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Baroness Primarolo Baroness Harding of Winscombe Baroness Morgan of Huyton Baroness Mattinson Baroness Taylor of Bolton Baroness Pidgeon Baroness Finn Baroness Thornton Lord Duvall Baroness Hunter of Auchenreoch Baroness Ashton of Upholland Lord Sassoon Baroness Kramer Viscount Chandos Baroness Gale Lord Cooper of Windrush Baroness Rafferty Baroness Alexander of Cleveden Baroness Martin of Brockley Baroness Andrews Lord Scriven Baroness Gerada London SW1A OPWoF Lord Falconer of Thoroton Baroness Walmsley Lord Dixon of Jericho Lord Mohammed of Tinsley Baroness Thornhill Lord Newby Baroness Ludford Baroness D’Souza Lord Cryer Lord Krebs Viscount Stansgate Lord Dubs Baroness Suttie Lord Winston London SW1A OPW
@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Such a powerful testimony from Hannah this week❤️ Like many terminally ill people all she is asking for is #Compassion #Dignity & #Choice at the end of life. Huge thanks to Hannah, @humanists.uk @andrewcopson.bsky.social @laurenedwardsmp.bsky.social, the brilliant Dr Clare Gerada & everyone.

Humanists UK@humanists.uk

Humanists UK has worked towards this moment for nearly a century. The Assisted Dying Bill adds vital safeguards where none currently exist. It remains overwhelmingly popular with the public who don’t want to suffer or see their loved ones suffer.

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Excellent piece from my colleague GP & MP @simonforstroud.bsky.social ‘Assisted dying is not something people receive instead of palliative care. It provides patients with choice at the end of life - it is not a choice between life & death, it’s about how you die, not if.’ #Choice #Dignity

PoliticsHome@politicshome.bsky.social

I've delivered palliative care as a doctor – we must give patients choice at the end of life ✍️ Dr Simon Opher MP https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/assisted-dying-choice-life-death-palliative-care

politicshome.comI've delivered palliative care as a doctor – we must give patients choice at the end of lifeDoctors, like all medical professionals, experience death and dying on a regular basis. Each and every one of us wants to do the best for our patie...
@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Great work by the Select Committee on this👏🏻 I was very proud to have pushed the Government to retain @sport-england-se.bsky.social as a statutory consultee when it comes to planning. Thanks to the committee, Sport England - and to Minister Matt Pennycook for listening to us all.

House of Commons Committees@hoccommittees.parliament.uk

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee welcomes the Government's announcement that it will retain Sport England as a consultee and strengthen proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to maintain recreational land provision. Read the quote in full 👇

“I am pleased the Government has listened to the Committee’s call to retain Sport England as a statutory planning consultee. The preservation of playing fields is vital to keeping the nation active, which in turn brings a whole range of economic, social and health benefits.” Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair
@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

It is 2 years since the unspeakable act of evil was perpetrated in Southport. The families and friends of Bebe, Elsie and Alice have shown such bravery and dignity since that horrific day. They are very much in my thoughts today, along with those 3 beautiful innocent girls❤️❤️❤️

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Heartbreaking news. Elise was a truly inspirational campaigner. It was an honour to spend time with her during the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. She knew changing the law would be too late for her but she never gave up. All she wanted was choice❤️

Dignity in Dying@dignityindying.org.uk

We are devastated by the death of Elise Burns, a courageous, formidable and much-loved campaigner for assisted dying, who died in hospice with her mum and sister by her side on Wednesday 22 July.

Portrait of Elise Burns.
@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Good luck to all the cyclists taking part in the 11th Jo Cox Way bike ride - a 290 mile journey from Yorkshire to London, bringing people together through cycling, remembering Jo, showing the very best of our country & raising money for @jocoxfoundation.bsky.social 🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏾

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social

Today marks a pivotal new chapter for our country. A new Prime Minister & many changes at the top of Government. Politics is a tough business, but I feel hopeful about what is to come. It has been a pleasure to work with Andy over the last decade & he has my full support.

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